Bel's Age of Worms [IC]

[BelGareth]

Chapter One: New friends

It was a cool autumn day at Diamond lake, and you found the chilly breeze biting as you traveled to the meeting place, a pre-designated spot, chosen by your patron, to meet your new colleagues. They were apparently chosen for their special talents, just like you were. Or at least, thats what old Allustan had said. He had hired you, sending a letter in a fancy envelope to you, requesting a meeting, where he, apparently, had judged your character. whatever that meant.

All you know, is Allustan was a wizard, and if he thought your character good enough, well that was that.

A pocket full of money, that you had promptly spent on gear, food, and beer, and another letter, indicating the meeting point, and you were to meet up with these other people, and head onto the small shack he had acquired for you all.

The meeting point was a fork in the road on the way out of Diamond lake. One road heading out of town, the other headed towards the surrounding low hills.

[Rizban]

Wisym Jordye

Wisym stood leaning against a gnarled tree just off the path, one foot resting up against the trunk as he whittled on his fingernails with his knife. He glances up as the others approach, sniffs once, then goes back to tending his nails.

[Deophaun]

Rose hadn't been in Diamond Lake long when the letter came. A wizard watching her, judging her, was cause for concern, and also more than she had hoped. Almost too good of a lead to be true. Certainly one she couldn't ignore.

A voice inside told her it was likely a trap, and as she traveled the path it screamed that she was a fool to be so trusting. The weight of Helm upon her chest said otherwise. It pulled her forward. She had a duty to see this through.

Arriving at the spot, she waited, her hand occasionally glancing over the hilt of her dagger, eyes on the lookout for danger.

[redzimmer]

Seramal Three-Curses

From the bushes crashes a tall, well-muscled half-orc woman. She wears as little as possible to avoid violating decency laws, and only that.

Her hair is dyed a garish red, and is shaved into a mohawk. It serves as a stark contrast to her gray-green skin.

She merrily sings an Orc drinking song, oblivious to who or what may be listening.

"How many Elves must an Orc cut down/
Before Gruumsh will call her an Orc?
The answer my friend/
Is never enough!
The answer is never enough!!"

She grins a very toothy grin, pleased to have found the right place.

She is Seramal. Those who know the underside of Daggerford know her, but how much is truth and how much hyperbole is known only to her.

[5ColouredWalker]

Morris Fullquiver

When Morris first got the letter, he laughed for quite a while... That said, with a wizard's magic, it'd be easy to copy a letter a few time while changing a few words. Right? Yea, must be, probably the only reason he wasn't told in person... That and the next few days he was supposed to be on patrol, but now.
Well, it looked like his call for fun was answered.


As it was, Morris had made his way down early, and was brushing down his horse while humming a common tavern song when Thee-Curses comes through the bushes, singing a song that'd at best get her cold looks in town.
"Seramal, I thought you'd been asked to stop singing that."
With that, Morris goes back to tending to brave... He always though Seramal was nice if rather mis-guided... A good brawl in any case. Burping shortly after arrival hadn't exactly ingratiated him to Wisym, but why drink more water than you had to when beer tasted better? Rose however he didn't know, but already thought she must be a sneak of some description given how fidgety the girl was, and he trying his very best not to appear on his guard to her.

[rypt]

Elira Hartwell

Elira's thoughts, as they tend to be, are elsewhere as she nears the crossroads. She isn't sure what she's been hired to do, but if she succeeds, she wonders, might she claim one of the wizard's books as her reward? She smiles absentmindedly as she stares across the hills. It is an exciting prospect, but the thought of rare arcana is quickly stifled by the sound of a rather rustic song carrying round the bend.

Hastening her palomino to a trot over the last two-hundred-or-so yards, Elira realizes soon enough that there is no cause for concern. She can only roll her eyes and chuckle lightly at the sight of a familiar red-haired and green-skinned half-orc. "Hello, Sera," she says with a sigh as she lifts herself out of the saddle. She nods to Wisym, who always seemed to keep to himself, and gives the unfamiliar human woman a quick once-over.

"Morris, is that you?" she says lastly to the back of the young guardsman. "You out here on duty, or did you get one of these as well?" She pulls Allustan's envelope from beneath her cloak, smirking at the thought of the wizard mailing an offer of employment to one of his own apprentices. "Any idea what we're out here for?"

[redzimmer]

Seramal

"Sera? Bwahahahahaha! In my father tongue you just called we 'beloved'! Now, I'm not sayin' I'm not flattered..."

Seramal looks at the assembled group, giving the males present the ol' elevator eyes.

"So, we all here? Any idea what the bearded old lech wanted us to do?"

[BelGareth]

As you all meet at the designated spot, you all hear a small bell ringing, as if dozens of children at the musical festival each fall, had followed you here. A voice emanates from the crossroads, it sounds like a warm grandfather, of autumn evenings by the fire, and freshly baked goods at the window.

"Yes, thank you for all coming, I was wondering if we were going to be one short for a moment." "Please follow the path up the hill, follow the map that is hidden under the rock in the crook of the v, and clear out that building, hurry now, time is of the essence"

After a few moments of searching, you find a rock with another note on it, and open it, finding a simple map of the road, a trail marked in dashes going off the road, leading to an abandoned mining shack.

After several hours, you find the spot where you need to leave the road, and then, through some thick briars and bushes, you manage to find a dilapidated shack, which was obviously, at one point in time, a miners headquarters. No longer used, it fell into ruin, but would serve as a good spot to rest, and go about your business, once you found out what that was.

Approaching the door, you can hear movement inside.

[Deophaun]

Rose

She recognized some of these faces from Diamond Lake; the half-orc in particular was hard to have missed. That put her a little at ease, and now she had names to attach to them.

"Rose Collart," she said, introducing herself. "So, none of us know..." Her words were cut off by a disembodied voice. The wizard?

She listened, and following the map arrived at the building. They were supposed to clear it out, which meant it was occupied by something. Rose snuck ahead of the group to scope out the building, looking for windows or cracks in the run-down shack's walls to get a view inside.

Take 10 on Search: 15

Edit for also useful stuff:
Take 10 Hide and Move Silently: 17 for each
Take 10 Listen: 17
Take 10 Spot: 14

[redzimmer]

Seramal

Seramal is impressed by the magical prompting. It was good when people were forthright with what they wanted.


***

Following the mage's directions, she sees an abandoned house. During her unpleasant time in the wild she had passed the house once or twice. She'd always assumed it was haunted and kept her distance.

As she approaches the run-down cabin, she thinks she hears something within.

1d20+3[/roll listen ??? Re-roll in OOC
[roll0] spot

[Debatra]

"Tobul, or 'Captain Amshem' if you prefer." I suppose "Commander" might be a tad excessive here.

As they approach the shack, presumably the building they were to "clear out", the Dwarf woman moves to the front of the group.

"Poke around if you want," she whispers, "then get behind me when you're ready." That said, she stands in front of the door with her shield and blade ready.

[5ColouredWalker]

"Sorry Elira, not a clue what he wants. For some reason Alustun sent me a letter too instead of mentioning it when I saw him last, so I'm off duty too and just as clueless... Almost got a handle on that fire-strike thing though."



On one hand, Morris is off duty, and knows about sneaking up on a house. Occasionally he did it with the town guard to catch a criminal... On the other, there were 6 of them, and almost all of them were warriors... Maybe not seasoned ones, but what threat could the house really hold? He's also not that inclined to listen to a dwarf he didn't know... That said, Elira was definitely at least as smart as he was, and probably a little better at this sort of thing having trained for it, and she hadn't said no to anything yet...

Yea, he'll wait just a bit. They can talk about it later.

Without a word after his hesitation, Morris stacks up behind the stocky dwarf, standing behind her with long sword out but not appearing tense.

[Rizban]

Wisym Jordye

Spitting out the small wad of pipe weed on which he'd been chewing, Wisym wipes his mouth with the back of a hand before finally speaking.

"Do what'cha want. I'm gonna check round back, make sure there's no other doors, open windows, or whatever."

He draws his weapons and walks around the building without waiting for anyone to respond.

[roll0]
[roll1]

[rypt]

Elira Hartwell

Elira appears positively delighted by the wizard's magical message, though she composes herself quickly at the apparent urgency of their task. Her excitement is still apparent through the first hour of their journey, but by the second, she is beginning to wish that Alustan had hired Nieven as well.

As they finally near their destination, it becomes clear to Elira that this is a group with some experience. And some strong personalities as well. Wisym and Rose head off on their own, while the dwarf, Captain Amshem, seems every bit her title. Fortunately, Elira is accustomed to following orders, and for the time being, is content to follow the diminutive warrior's lead.

As she draws her sword and shield, she offers some cautionary words. "Remember, our task is simply to secure the cabin. That doesn't necessarily mean killing whatever's inside. Let's be sure what we're facing before we cut it to pieces--" she glances to Morris, adding "--or light it on fire."

[redzimmer]

Seramal

Seramal rankles at the dwarf's bossy tone, but decides a waist-high wall of steel would be a welcome barrier betwixt her and a belly full of stab.

"Lead on, O Captain my Captain!"

[Debatra]

Tobul glances back at the Half-Orc's comment, giving her a sharp grin. "Well, what can I say? You never really quit the military."

[BelGareth]

As you all approach and then continue to have a conversation, you start to hear growling coming from the inside of the hut. Those who creeping around to peek in, can confirm this.

INITIATIVE!

MAP (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/19KNcb3jh0q7RuJjl8PWPJtnsfKkR1HR0cjjUDoYEuIU/edit?usp=sharing)


Please place yourselves on the map.

[BelGareth]

Initiative:


Elira 21 ✓
Seramal 14 ✓
Wisym 11 ✓
Rose 9 ✓
Tobul 8 ✓
Wolves 4
Morris 3 ✓


The door splinters outwards covering Tobul and anyone near by in dust and grime, as the first wolf snaps at her with vicious fangs and teeth before moving back into the shack.


No one is flat footed

Attack vs Tobul!
[roll0]
[roll1]
If hit, then free trip (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/combat/specialAttacks.htm#trip) attempt [roll2]

Tobul receives +4 to her check, ontop of her str bonus. (for being a dwarf)


Party is up!

Map (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/19KNcb3jh0q7RuJjl8PWPJtnsfKkR1HR0cjjUDoYEuIU/edit?usp=sharing)

[redzimmer]

Seramal

"Bold beasties," Seramal mutters. She does not want to be caught in or cause a bottleneck, so she moves away from the door and readies her sling.

[Deophaun]

Rose

It's too late to call out a warning before the wolf burst through the rotted door and bites at the pillar of steel standing behind it. No matter. She draws a dagger and launches it at the animal closest to her.


Attack @ Wolf 3:[roll0]
Damage:[roll1]

[rypt]

Elira

After raising her shield to block the shower of debris, Elira steps through the doorway to strike at the wolf to her right.

Free action: 5-foot step to T15.
Standard action: Attack W3.
Attack: [roll0]
Damage: [roll1]
Crit confirm: [roll2]
Crit damage: [roll3]

[5ColouredWalker]

Instinctively, Morris does nothing. He has a person between him and the snapping wolf after all.

What he does do though is release a hand from his blade and fling it out, the tiniest of spark shooting forward before blossoming into a fireball among the rabid wolves in the house.



Move: Nada
Standard: Fiery Burst catching the 4 wolves in the middle of the house.
[roll0], DC 14 Reflex Save halves.

[Rizban]

Wisym Jordye

Wisym dives through the window, darkness surrounding him, and thrusts his rapier at the nearest wolf, his blade slashing through the air with a frigid afterimage.

Move: Q13 to S13. Take 10 on Jump to hop up through the window [12] vs DC 10.
Standard: [roll0] – [roll1]
[roll2] – [roll3]


Active Stance
Child of Shadow: Gain concealment when move 10 ft.

Readied Maneuvers

Mighty Throw (Set): Grab foe, throw him up to 10 ft.
Wolf Fang Strike (Tig): Attack with two weapons.
Burning Blade (Des): + 1d6 + 1/IL fire

Expended Maneuvers

Shadow Blade Technique (Sha): Roll 2; lower for + 1d6 cold

[Debatra]

Keeping an eye on W3, Tobul moves over to V-13 and attacks.

Declaring Dodge vs W3, moving.
AC 24 vs AoOs, 25 vs W3's AoO.

[roll0]
[roll1]

[BelGareth]

Morris reacts, releasing a blast of fire upon the wolves who squeal and howl as the fire burns them!

Elira moves forward and engages, but her swing misses the first wolf!

Seramel hangs back, while Wisym dives through the window, attempting to hit another wolf, while impressive, his rapier fails to hit anything.

Rose throws a dagger, missing her mark as Tobul jumps through the other window to strike the wolf she is now flanking with Elira!


Vs DC 14 for 4 or 8 on fail.
[roll0]
[roll1]
[roll2]

Damage:

Wolf 1: 4
Wolf 2: 4
Wolf 3: 11
Elira: 0/12
Seramal: 0/11
Wisym: 0/10
Rose: 0/8
Tobul: 0/16
Morris: 0/11

[BelGareth]

Initiative:


Elira 21 ✓
Seramal 14 ✓
Wisym 11 ✓
Rose 9 ✓
Tobul 8 ✓
Wolves 4
Morris 3 ✓


One of the Wolves is severely injured and lunges out at the closest target, Tobul.

The others move about, snapping at heels trying to trip their usurpers.


Wolf 3 attacks vs Tobul!
[roll0]
[roll1]
If hit, then free trip (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/combat/specialAttacks.htm#trip) attempt [roll2]

Wolf 1 attacks vs Elira!
[roll3]
[roll4]
If hit, then free trip (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/combat/specialAttacks.htm#trip) attempt [roll5]

Wolf 2 attacks vs Wisym!
[roll6]
[roll7]
If hit, then free trip (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/combat/specialAttacks.htm#trip) attempt [roll8]



Party is up!

Map (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/19KNcb3jh0q7RuJjl8PWPJtnsfKkR1HR0cjjUDoYEuIU/edit?usp=sharing)

[redzimmer]

Seramal

Seramal sees the alternative entryway through the windows, so she moves around the side of the house, he sling at the ready.

Moves to window at Q13.

"Wisym, I might move aside were I you.."

[Rizban]

Wisym Jordye

Wisym takes a 5-ft. step to maneuver a bit out of the middle of the wolf pack before thrusting at Wolf 2, tongues of flame dancing across his blade.

5-ft Step: to T12
Standard: Burning Blade - [roll0] – [roll1] + [roll2]

Active Stance
Child of Shadow: Gain concealment when move 10 ft.

Readied Maneuvers

Mighty Throw (Set): Grab foe, throw him up to 10 ft.
Wolf Fang Strike (Tig): Attack with two weapons.

Expended Maneuvers

Burning Blade (Des): + 1d6 + 1/IL fire
Shadow Blade Technique (Sha): Roll 2; lower for + 1d6 cold

[rypt]

Elira Hartwell

Elira can feel the impact of a lunging wolf on the other side of her shield, but she holds ground, a she returns the attack in kind, striking at the beast to her right.

Wolf 1 misses Elira.

Standard action: Attack W3.

Attack (including +2 for flanking): [roll0]
Damage: [roll1]
Crit confirm: [roll2]
Crit Damage: [roll3]

[Debatra]

Tobul attempts to slash at the animal's neck. If she manages to kill it, she'll step to U-13.

[roll0]
[roll1]

[Deophaun]

Rose somersaults through the window. Of course, her available landing spot was already occupied. The dwarf's helmet obviously not providing much in the way of peripheral vision.

But, there's no choice. Blows against the beasts weren't landing. She had to get in one way or another. Rose tries to dodge around the snarling teeth of the wolf and place a dagger in its heart as she tumbles by.

Tumble: [roll0]

Attack W3: [roll1] (+2 flanking from Island of blades)
Damage: [roll2]

[5ColouredWalker]

With the wolves spread out and no desire to destroy more property, even if it's currently unclaimed, Morris waited for Eleria to strike, moving further away from the doorway.
As she does so, he charged forward with a sudden shout, his blade swinging down at the wolf to her left while she attacked the one to her right.


Move: Move to S15.
Standard: Attack the wolf in S14.
Hit: [roll0]
Damage: [roll1]

[redzimmer]

Seramal

Finally a line of sight clear to her, Seramal lets loose a breath of flame at the nearest wolf.


From window Seramal breathes at U14 and Wolf 3.
Line of fire DC Ref 15 for half damage [roll0]

Wow. I am a Goddess of Death.

[BelGareth]

Morris moves in after Tobul and swings, wildly missing the wolf she was attempting to strike!

Elira moves to take out the wounded wolf, and misses by a hairs breath!

Wisym moves closer to another wolf, and unleashes a burst of flame, narrowly missing!

Seramel waits for Wisym and then breaths flame upon the wounded wolf, who whimpers again, but remains standing!

Rose tumbles through the window as graceful as a cat, and then attempts to skewer one of the wolves, but missed!

Tobul reaches out and delivers a devastating slash across the face of the wounded wolf, dropping it instantly.


Seramel moves to initiative 10

Damage:
Wolf 1: 4
Wolf 2: 4
Wolf 3: 16/x - DEAD
Elira: 0/12
Seramal: 0/11
Wisym: 0/10
Rose: 0/8
Tobul: 0/16
Morris: 0/11

[BelGareth]

Initiative:


Elira 21
Wisym 11
Seramal 10
Rose 9
Tobul 8
Wolves 4
Morris 3


With one of their companions fallen, the remaining wolves move towards each other, snapping as they go!


Wolf 1 attacks vs Elira!
[roll0]
[roll1]
If hit, then free trip (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/combat/specialAttacks.htm#trip) attempt [roll2]

Wolf 2 attacks vs Rose!
[roll3]
[roll4]
If hit, then free trip (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/combat/specialAttacks.htm#trip) attempt [roll5]



Party is up!

Map (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/19KNcb3jh0q7RuJjl8PWPJtnsfKkR1HR0cjjUDoYEuIU/edit?usp=sharing)

[redzimmer]

Seramal

Not wanting to fry her new friends, Seramal breathes a gout of flame at the wolf to her right.

She dearly wanted to quip a pun about "hot dogs", but regrettably could not speak with fire belching out her mouth.

DC 15 Reflex for half damage [roll0]

[Deophaun]

Rose

Rose grits her teeth and growls in pain, the wolf's teeth dig into her thigh and spill blood. It tries to pull her down, but Rose puts her dagger to its neck, forcibly dissuading its efforts.


Attack: [roll0]
Damage: [roll1]

[5ColouredWalker]

Bunching up?
That's a paddling.
"Stand clear of the window!"

Flicking his hand out, with barely a a thought Morris sends out a spark that blossoms into a small fireball.


Move: What is move?
Standard: Fiery Burst on S13-T14
[roll0], DC 14 Reflex Save Halves.

[rypt]

Elira Hartwell

Elira sidesteps the wolf's bite, her sword raised and ready to strike at its flank.

Wolf 1 misses Elira.

Free action: 5-foot step to U15.

Standard action: Attack Wolf 1.

Attack: [roll0]
Damage: [roll1]
Crit confirm: [roll2]
Crit damage: [roll3]

[Debatra]

Tobul 5' steps to U-14 and attacks W1 (or W2 if the other is down).

[roll0]
[roll1]

[Rizban]

Wisym

His fancy maneuvers failing to connect, Wisym employs a simple strike.

[roll0] – [roll1]

[BelGareth]

The group seems to come together at the last moment, as Elira moves forward and slices the head of one wolf clean off, and while Wisym failed to hit the last remaining one, it was a quick burst of energy that must have spurred everyone on to finish it.

Panting, the last wolf drops dead to the floor and the hut goes quiet as wildlife outside can sense the danger is over and continues on their daily routine.

Looking around, you find the hut to be a dilapidated mining hut, probably been out of use for a while from the looks of it, enough time for these wolves to have moved in and set up a den.

Rummaging around, you find nothing of value, once you are done, you hear the tell tale sound of the man who sent you here.

A faint tinkling of bells rings, and his warm soft voice seems to wash over you all.

"Good job, this will serve as your place to rest, and anything else you need, I have legally acquired it, the deed and the map to your destination is in a false bottom in the desk. I apologize for the subterfuge, it is important that I distance myself somewhat from this. Rest, and then tomorrow, go to the whispering Cairn." he smiles, and it fills your heart as only a grandfathers smile could.

You find the false bottom, along with the deed to the shack, a dirty old thing, and a rough map to the whispering cairn. Not that any of you really need it, it's not even far, and most definitely somewhat of a legend amongst the towns youth.

[redzimmer]

Seramal

"I call the upstairs room!" Seramal shouts, bounding up the stairs boisterously.

After a brief rest, she returns to the ground floor, prepares her gear for spelunking, and tries to remember whatever she can about the Cairn.


Local: [roll0]

History: [roll1]


"Smells like burnt dog in here."

[Deophaun]

Rose

With the last wolf slain, Rose presses down on the gash in her leg to keep her blood where it belongs. She staggers towards the south-western corner of the hut and pulls the dagger she had thrown out of the wall. Need practice.

She had to get weight off that leg. Turning with her back to the corner, she starts to slide herself down when the old man's voice echoes through the ruined shack.

"Tomorrow," Rose says as she briefly removes her hand to see how bad the wound is. "What's the rush?"

If anyone would care to provide a Heal check for Rose--Take 10 with a healing kit--I'd be much appreciative. Going in with 3 hit points is better than 2. Even better would be resting another full day for 6.

[redzimmer]

Seramal

Reaching into her pouch, Seramal shrugs.

"Sorry, no kits here."

tosses a vial to Rose.

"We are now Sisters in Battle! What's yours is mine!"

I read the wrong character sheet...

[5ColouredWalker]

Morris grunts as he dumps the last wolf outside... He might have contemplated commenting on the ownership claim, but if someone was so absent that they managed to accidentally trap wolves in the building, he didn't care.

"Think there might be one with my horse... Just give me a bit... My stuffs a bit hap-hazard, thought I'd have more time to prepare."

With that, Morris makes his way away from the house to where he tired up Brave, spends some time staring into one of his packs, and then begins making his way back, bandages in hand.
"Uh, anyone good with these? I'm not great... Or town's close enough, could get you to a priest."


Taking 20 to turn 1lb of Shapesand into a Healers Kit.

It's DC 15 for long term care, taking 10 with a Healers kit gets me 12, so I need someone else to do it or there's the risk of rolling.

[BelGareth]

After resting for the day, claiming sleeping spots, clearing out the dead wolves, and/or doing whatever with their bodies/pelts. You feel refreshed in the morning, and head out to find the Whispering Cairn. It wasn't far, about 2-3 hour hike through the low hills surrounded by woods.

The cairn's name precedes itself, as you round a hillock and begin to hear a low whistle, like several small children chattering in the wind. Taking the corner, you find what you were looking for, and the stone archway reveals itself to you, like a yawning mouth that held a slight wind coming from within.

http://i33.servimg.com/u/f33/17/73/38/92/whispe11.jpg

The entry way is about 20 feet across, and is dark inside.


We'll free form this, until someone needs a map.

Whats your light source, and order of march?

[redzimmer]

Seramal

"At last! Plunder!"

Seramal bounds forth into the cairn, her darkvision giving her a general shape of the entranceway.

"You dayfolk might wanna bring down a light!" she shouts outward, heeding nothing to stealth.

[Deophaun]

Rose

The wetness seeping from the crude bandage around her leg was all Rose needed to know the hike had not been kind to her wound.

Reaching the mouth of the cairn, Rose stopped to examine the entrance. Old and deserted, the place could well be guarded by ancient traps to dissuade looters. She had barely studied one of the outer pillars when the half-orc surged passed her and into the darkness, shouting all the while.

Secretly, she hoped it was trapped. Rose waited, listening for the roar of falling rocks or the whistle of poison darts.


Search: [roll0]
Listen: [roll1]

[5ColouredWalker]

Morris stopped near the entrance... It wasn't often he'd have to pull kids from here or near here, but it wasn't exactly rare either.

"I can conjure illumination for a short while... But if you give me a minute I might be able to find something useful in my pack."

[rypt]

Elira Hartwell

Elira takes her position near the front of the party, where her otherworldly eyes can best be put to use. Stepping out of the way as Seramal runs past, she allows Rose the time she needs to check for any hidden dangers.

"I can provide us light in the event something goes wrong, but only once, and only for a couple of minutes."

[BelGareth]

Natural light dimly illuminates a long hallway extending north into darkness. A faint breeze brings with it sibilant whispers that sound almost like sighing breath. It must be a trick of the wind, but the effect is almost lifelike.

The walls bear horizontal bands of deceptively simple geometric patterns at waist level. In places the bands reveal startling detail, but in others the walls look as though they have been hacked apart with weapons or eroded by the rigors of time. Flakes of ancient paint, brilliant purple and a dull mustard hue, still cling to the walls in places, hinting at what must once been a riot of color. A thin coat of dust coats the floor

Just inside the darkened tomb, the hallway branches into shallow alcoves to the east and west. Here the walls bear the most significant damage. Dozens of clumsy etchings mar the beautiful ancient masonry like graffiti on a city wall. A clump of soiled cloth about the size of a halfling rests in the rounded terminus of the western alcove.

Outside, the wind picks up, and a chorus of almost human sounds rises from the darkened hall.

A fine layer of dust coats the halls floor.


You notice that several wolf tracks have crossed the dusty hallway numerous times in the recent past.


The western alcove contains a moldy old bedroll.


You remember a teenage girl went missing here about 6 years ago.


The bedroll is hardened and brittle, cracking if handled too rough. A little searching around the bedroll, and you find whittling shavings.

Anyone searching the patterned bands upon the walls reveals thing hollow tubes hidden within the pattern work. The strange whispers filling the hall seem to emit from these holes.

As you move closer inside, you notice a flickering green light at the end of the hallway.


http://i.imgur.com/LH1ZJJh.png

You can see the hallway breaks into another alcove or intersection next.

[redzimmer]

Seramal

Impatient of the others to arrive, Seramal hefts her morningstar and heads towards the greenish light, walking slowly enough to let the others catch up.

[Deophaun]

The entrance appeared as safe as the entrance to any crumbling ruin could be said to be, seemingly confirmed by the failure of the thing to so much as cough at the presence of the half-orc.

Rose pulled a metal rod out from her bandolier and struck the tip against the threshold. Bright, golden light poured from its end, illuminating the impenetrable-to-humans darkness. Making her way inside, she noticed the floor, covered with familiar tracks.

"Seramal! Seramal!" she half called, half whispered. "Wolves!"

[Debatra]

Tobul just stands there, placing a hand on Rose's shoulder. "Some people just have to learn patience the hard way." She tilts her head slightly after saying this, all but brandishing her left ear. Or rather, the space on her head where the left ear should be.

[5ColouredWalker]

Morris stopped a moment at the blankets as he followed Seramal, longsword moving to his left hand as he rummages with his left... Nothing but shavings.
"Can't remember if anyone went missing recently, but this bed is old... Kelvemor have mercy, looks like it's just a child's roll."
With that Morris rises, looking somewhat angrier as he moves to catch up with the group.

[rypt]

Elira Hartwell

With an ear towards Morris and eye towards Seramal, Elira stands between the two, equally concerned by what might have happened to a child exploring this cave on her own as she is by what might happen to the reckless half-orc now.

"Any ideas what that might be?" she asks, gesturing with her shield towards the green light.

[BelGareth]

You move forward towards the flickering green light at the end of the hallway, you pass two more alcoves on your left and right, the one of the right seems to have some kind of rubble, while the other has some strange apparatus standing on a small platform.

Moving further, you find a large chamber open up from the hallway:

The central hallway opens into a large chamber with wings leading to the east and wast. Across the chamber to the north yawns a twenty-foot-wide open arch draped from to bottom in translucent cobwebs. An eerie green light flickers from beyond the webs, casting strange shadows about this room. The place smells of animals and wet fur.

To the west, three short stairs lead to a wide marble dais, but the far end of the wing is obscured by darkness.

Huge slabs of cracked masonry and irregular piles of scattered debris choke the eastern wing, giving the appearance of complete collapse.

The sibilant, almost human whispers present in the passage become a chorus in this massive chamber, eerily echoing off the walls.

ROUND 1

Initiative

[roll5]
[roll2]
[roll3]
[roll4]
[roll0] (they act in surprise round)
[roll1]


As you enter the chamber, several wolves leap out of the darkness to the right, having been alerted of your presence. They attack Seramel in an attempt to drag her back to their lair.


Wolf 1
[roll6] vs flat footed
[roll7]
[roll8]

Wolf 2
[roll9] vs flat footed/prone
[roll10]
[roll11]

[roll12] vs flat footed/prone
[roll13]
[roll14]


Map (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1HBiII8jdL5autZsc8IrIrssWehdG2dh2Qi-dbWdX05g/edit?usp=sharing)

[BelGareth]

Wolf 2
[roll0] vs flat footed/prone
[roll1]

[redzimmer]

Seramal

The wolves tear at her flesh and drag her down under their weight.
[roll0] vs. 21
[roll1] vs. 3

I'm at 1 HP if crit fails to hit, unconscious and unable to do this if the critical does hit:

Breath weapon (fire) 15 ft cone [roll2] DC 14 reflex for half

Aaaaand we're at -2 HP.

Any clerics in our group?

No? Any necromancers then?

[Deophaun]

Rose's warning comes too late as the wolves lunge from the darkness and fell Seramal with a vicious savagery Rose is unprepared to witness. A pang of remorse shoots through her as Rose remembers she was just hoping for something like this to happen.

"Get away from her!" Rose uses her speed to sweep round the flank of the meanest looking of the wolves. A fire sparks in her eyes, then like magic flares behind the wolves, distracting them from her strike through the shadows.


Move to Q8.
Swift action distracting ember in S10
Standard shadow blade technique versus W1
Attack roll 1: [roll0]
Attack roll 2: [roll1]
Crit confirm: [roll2]
Damage: [roll3]
Possible extra damage: [roll4] cold

[Debatra]

Tobul appears to stab at nothing but thin air; but then winks out of existence for an instant, reappearing at Q-11 with her blade heading straight for a wolf's face.

Mainly just doing it like that for style points, though I certainly wouldn't object to it giving a bonus. :smallwink:

Using Dimension Hop, then attacking W2.

[roll0]
[roll1]
Also, despite the stabbing motion, it should be noted that longswords are apparently only capable of slashing damage.

AC becomes 22 due to lack of (physical) movement.

[5ColouredWalker]

There were times Morris wished he was a real priest, or a real adventurer, because then he might be better prepared for this.
But he knew what to do about a wounded comrade in the line when others had them mostly covered.

With long strides Morris made his way over to Seramal, and grabbing the wounded orc around the shoulders quickly pulled her away from the distracted wolves. If they wanted a piece of her, they were going to eat steel first.


Move to P10. Then drag Seramal into my square. I don't think I can continue moving after that, but if I can I continue into M10.

[BelGareth]

As the jaws of the wolves fell Seramal and drag her down bleeding profusely from several bite marks, the others of the party spring into action. Rose initiates a shadow hand maneuver, distracting the main wolf with the shadowy copy, enough that it skewers the animal in the head, dropping it dead.

Tobul slashes at one wolf, making it bleed slightly.

The wolves act in kind, one of them quickly circling around and snapping at Rose trying to flank it, as the other does likewise.

Both attack Rose

Wolf 2
[roll0] (with +2 from flank)
[roll1]
[roll2]

Wolf 3
[roll3] (with +2 from flank)
[roll4]
[roll5]


ROUND 2

Initiative

Seramal - 22
Tobul - 20
Elira - 17
Rose - 12
Wolves - 8
Morris - 8


Map (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1HBiII8jdL5autZsc8IrIrssWehdG2dh2Qi-dbWdX05g/edit?usp=sharing)

Morris grabs Seramal and drags her away from the wolves.

[rypt]

Elira Hartwell

Elira moves to cover Morris' withdrawal, knocking her sword against the side of her shield in an attempt to draw the wolves' attention. Now shoulder to shoulder with Rose, she cuts at the wounded wolf to her right.

Move action: Move to Q9.
Standard action: Attack Wolf 2.

Attack: [roll0] + 2 (Rose's stance) = [22]
Damage: [roll1]

[Deophaun]

She dodges the fangs of one wolf to be narrowly missed by the other. The sunrod in Rose's left hand clatters to the floor as she draws her other dagger and places her back to the armored paladin, allowing her to focus everything on delivering death to villainous mongrels.


Move: Draw dagger
Standard: Wolf-fang strike, start with Wolf 2

Attack 1: [roll0] (Assumes +2 Flanking)
Damage: [roll1]

Attack 2: [roll2] (Assumes +2 Flanking)
Damage: [roll3]

Crit Confirm: [roll4] (Assumes +2 Flanking)
Damage: [roll5]

[Debatra]

Tobul steps to Q-10 and attacks the nearby wolf. "Elira, give me the Healing Kit!"

[roll0]
[roll1]

Regardless of attack result, put away Longsword and hold out hand to receive Kit.

Declare Dodge vs W3. AC is 22, 23 vs W3.

[Rizban]

Wisym Jordye comes charging down the hall, weapon drawn.

"Have at you!"

He lunges at the nearest wolf, if able.

[roll0] – [roll1]

[5ColouredWalker]

Not letting go of Seramal Morris looks up, and drops his longsword, letting the blade clatter to the ground before he quickly kicks it out from under the orc, his other hand briefly rising up.
The remaining wolf is suddenly engulfed in fire as a spark flies through the air behind it, expanding into a tiny ball of death.


Move: None.
Standard: Firery Burst, [roll0] damage, DC 14 reflex halves.

[BelGareth]

Seramel bleeds a little more as she groans, while the others have at the wolves with a ferocity unmatched as of yet.

Elira stabs at the second wolf, slashing it across the nose viciously, while Rose maneuvers herself perfectly, to deal swift justice, felling the second wolf with a almost perfect slash with her dagger, and then continuing her ride of success, draws and slashes at the last wolf, leaving it in pain.

Tobul, seeing Seramel still losing her lifeblood screams for the healing kit, as Wisym charges in from being distracted, able to get a glancing blow, and deliver the last strike needed to fell the mangy animal.

Morris prepares to unleash a blast of magic, but looking up, sees no more opponents.

You all quickly look onto Seramal as Tobul kneels beside her, and taking her time, manages to bind the wounds the wolves inflicted, staunching the blood.


4 Ranks, +2 from Kit, take 10 = 16 vs DC 15 for first aid.
Mark 1 use off from the Kit.


A quick search of the wolfs den behind the rubble finds the following items:

Search DC 5
Leather backpack half buried under a pile of old human bones contains an elaborate lantern.
http://www.ironfort.co.uk/images/AgeOfWorms/lantern.gif

Search DC 15
An intricately carved armband of elven craftsmanship

Search DC 20
A marble index finger, seemingly cracked off some kind of statue, or something similar.


*Let me know, if you investigate any alcove, refer to Map (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1HBiII8jdL5autZsc8IrIrssWehdG2dh2Qi-dbWdX05g/edit?usp=sharing)*

[Deophaun]

Returning the favor, Rose pulls a small vial and administers it to Seramal

Postion of lesser vigor, fast healing 1 for 11 rounds.

"I don't have any more of these, so don't go running ahead again."

With Seramal recovering, Rose recovers her sunrod and turns her attention to the room. The alcoves probably contained something--you don't just dig those things for fun--and are worth a closer look.

Search of Wolf den/alcove:
- Take 10: 15
- Second Search: [roll0]

Search of alcove with stairs:
- Take 10: 15
- Second Search: [roll1]

And if we want to spend time on the others... Take 10 on initial pass, then rolls
- [roll2]
- [roll3]
- [roll4]
- [roll5]

[redzimmer]

Seramal

"Why do I smell like wolf urine?" the half-orc mumbles.

[Debatra]

Tobul offers Seramel a hand up... and a few semi-sarcastic words. "Have we learned something today?"

[Rizban]

"Yes, I have! If I stop to look at something interesting, the rest of you wander into a den of wolves. I'll try to be more vigilant in the future."

[rypt]

Elira Hartwell

Elira watches closely as Tobul and Rose administer aid to their wounded companion. Once it's clear that Seramal will be okay, the paladin exhales a heavy sigh of relief. "That was closer than I'd like, but fine recovery, everyone."

As the half-orc comes to, Elira crouches beside her. She smiles at Seramal's question, as well as at the comments of the others, but offers no quips of her own. She only asks, quite sincerely, "Are you alright?"

Once Seramal is back on her feet, Elira joins Rose in her search of the room.

Search (top right alcove): [roll0]

Search (top left alcove): [roll1]

Search (middle left alcove):[roll2]

Search (middle right alcove):[roll3]

Search (glowing alcove): [roll4]
Spellcraft: [roll5]
Knowledge (arcana): [roll6]

[redzimmer]

Seramal

"I learned let the Dwarf go first," she replies sheepishly.

[5ColouredWalker]

Morris laughs at the other's answers as he retrieves his sword from where he dropped it.

"All good answers... If nothing else, I've learned adventurers should bring lots of healing potions with them, and that wolves are exactly as dangerous as bards say... I'll stand guard by the stairs while you lot look around."

With that, Morris begins walking off, a solitary spark nested in his hand... Truth be told, that spark's probably more dangerous than his steel.


Readied Action: Fiery Burst on any non-humanoid that charges him.

[BelGareth]

In the bottom left alcove, above where the sleeping bedroll was found:

The western hall extends perhaps forty feet, ending at a small marble platform raised about six inches off the floor. A strange, shattered arcane apparatus rests upon this platform, its curved ovular frame giving the appearance of a noble’s dressing mirror. Only a third of this frame remains. An unusual arcane glyph about the size of a mans head has been delicately carved into the baseplate of the support platform.

http://cdn.obsidianportal.com/assets/225474/apparatus_with_glyphs.jpg


DC 10

Where the mirrors glass should have been, you find several ancient symbols that signify transportation.


You find [roll0] shards of dark glass around the broken frame.

In the opposite alcove, fifteen feet down the east passage, a huge pile of collapsed rubble blocks the alcove from the top to bottom. It looks like it would take weeks to tunnel through the densely packed debris.

In the alcove opposite the wolf den, A wide dais spanning the back half of the western wing calls attention to a faded fresco upon the south, west, and north walls. From a vantage point a the center of the dais, the wall painting makes it look like you stand within a massive room with seven short hallways radiating outward from a central point. A chain dangles from the ceiling at the end of each hallway, and each chain bears a gleaming colored lantern. Clockwise, the colors are red, orange yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet.

The only way forward seems to be through the spider web. If you get close enough and peer through them, you can see a set of stairs leading further down, closer to the green flickering light.


Hears the following words as whispers coming from the spiderwebbed stairway:

“Hopeless”
“Sacrilege”
“Enemies”

[Deophaun]

Rose

Rose takes stock of the intricate lantern and armband, displaying the prizes to the other members of the group. She makes note of the arcane symbol at the base of the frame; there's something familiar about it, like from a magic circle she had chance to use before... Rose shakes her head to clear the thought. Someone here is liable to be more knowledgeable about the subject than she; one can even pull flame out of thin air! Let them look at it. "Hey, there's some magical device here. Or, there used to be. Looks all busted. Probably a mirror or lens from the look of this glass." She counts the shards and stores them. They might be worth something to somebody.

It's at the mural that she stops and leans in close. Rose stares at the lantern and back at the mural. The two are related, and that lantern definitely belongs somewhere in this cairn. That meant the bones she picked it from were from some kind of tomb robber; the question of why he died with the treasure so close to the exit nagged at her. "Anyone want to hold onto this?" She offers the lantern, hoping someone will take her up on it.

[redzimmer]

Seramal

[roll0]

Rubbing the fresh grey-green flesh where the wolf teeth recently rent, Seramal ponders the ancient trinkets.

"I'm no Mordekainen, but I think I know a magic mirror teleportation when I see one."

What she did not say is this was a wild guess. She used to read a children's story about a wicked queen of the sky and her pet spider who could walk through mirrors. The picture in the book looked like this mirror.

[Deophaun]

"Makes you wonder what's buried on the other side, doesn't it? Course, it's not like we have time to find out. There's a job to--"

"Come to think of it, what is our job here? I expected Magic Voice to clue us in when we arrived. Maybe we are supposed to dig out whatever's buried over there."

[5ColouredWalker]

Morris watches the spiderweb carefully, calling back.

"When pressed, Bards talk of looting, but I think we should clear the cairn properly before poking at things which would definitely be dangerous to poke at."

[rypt]

Elira Hartwell

Elira offers to hold onto the lantern for Rose, studying the ornamented device for a moment before stowing it carefully in her backpack.

Once the lantern is secure, she crouches down beside remains of the mirror-like apparatus to examine the engraving at its base. "Fascinating, isn't it?" At Seramal's comment regarding the apparatus, the paladin muses, "I would have loved to have seen it operation. I wonder where it led." She glances towards the mass of spiderwebs and the glowing green light, adding with a sigh, "Not that we seem to have many choices ourselves."

Elira will take 10 on the Knowledge (arcana) check regarding the mirror's engraving.

Is there any information to be gleamed from the lantern? Does it open? If so, is there wax inside or a place where a candle might be held?

Spellcraft: [roll0]
Knowledge (arcana): [roll1]

[Deophaun]

Rose breathes a silent sigh of relief when Elira takes the lantern; it's enough to worry about the dangers that still exist versus whatever killed the lamp's previous owner long ago.

"I suppose you're right. I would just like to know what we're looking for so that we know when we found it." Rose studies the web-covered passage and wrinkles her nose in disgust. She never understood what those dark elves saw in these things. Sweeping away the first silk curtain with the sunrod, she offers to take the lead. "Please no more wolves."


Examination of webs:
Spot checks:
- Take 10: 14
- Roll: [roll0]

Listen checks:
- Take 10: 17
- Roll: [roll1]

Search checks:
- Take 10: 15
- Roll: [roll2]

Move Silently:
- Roll: [roll3]

[BelGareth]

Looking down the stairwell, it is hard to make out anything beyond the webbing, you see no large spiders of any kind, but dozens of smaller ones, but you are doubtful they will impede you, or even harm you.

You see another room, with flickering green light playing off the walls, beyond that, you will need to traverse the stairwell.

[redzimmer]

Seramal

"Well, before I go rushing in again, let's get rid of these..."

With a deep breath, Seramal blows a cone of fire at the cobwebs, hoping to clear the way.

[roll0] damage if needed

[Deophaun]

Rose

Rose sniffs the air. "Smells like... chicken?"

Lightly she starts down the stairway towards the flickering light. Why'd it have to be green? Why couldn't it be a friendly color? Like pink. Or fuchsia. Heck, even coral.

[5ColouredWalker]

"Has anyone told you you have a very interesting nose?"

Morris follows quietly, blade held loosely as he looks ahead down to corridor.

[BelGareth]

The flames curl and wrap around the light kindling, burning it off with an acrid smell of decay and time, as if the webs themselves had held an essence of something else...but maybe it was the sibilant whispers of this place, finally getting a hold of your sanity?

Shaking off the mental cobwebs, you realize the cleared passage leads down a set of stairs to the green light that has lured you in this far...

A wide stairway descends into an immense domed chamber. Seven short tunnels branch from the room in all directions, extending some thirty feet before ending in rounded walls. At the terminus of each passage, a thick chain dangles from an unseen high ceiling. Five of the chains bear colorful lanterns, but two hold nothing at all. Opposite the entry stairs, a bright green lantern containing what looks like a torch casts a weird, murky light about the room. Countless chips of glass and shiny metal inset into the chambers domed ceiling reflect this light, giving the impression of starlight and falling snow. The Dome starts about ten feet off the ground and reaches an apex about thirty feet over the center of the room.

Below the domes peak, a long dais holds what appears to be a marble sarcophagus. A milky white bas-relief figure, perhaps of a human, rests passively upon the sarcophagus lid. Unlike the rest of the tomb, this room is completely silent.


7 alcoves, 5 of which have the following colored lanterns that look identical to the one you found:
(in order from left to right)
[Missing], Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, [Missing], Violet


http://i.imgur.com/UCMIDpx.jpg

[redzimmer]

Seramal

"Well then," Seramal says, her brush with death already forgotten, "let's hang these bad girls up and see what treasure unlocks! If you need a light, Astilabor's gotcha covered!"

[Deophaun]

Rose

"Go slow," she says to the eager orc. "Haste has not agreed with you today."

Rose thinks back to the mural and picks out the alcove between the ones holding the blue and violet lamps. "That lantern we found should goes there. And it looks like there's still a red one missing."

"And I doubt the tomb robber we pulled that off of was considerate enough to put the lid back on that sarcophagus after he looted this place. Who wants to lay odds that it's trapped?"

Rose will conduct a sweep of the chamber for traps/anything interesting, starting clockwise from the entrance and ending with the sarcophagus. Two checks, first take 10 (total 15) plus the following:
Alcove at 7:30- [roll0]
Alcove at 9:00- [roll1]
Alcove at 10:30 - [roll2]
Alcove at 12:00 - [roll3]
Alcove at 1:30 - [roll4]
Alcove at 3:00 - [roll5]
Alcove at 4:30 - [roll6]
Sarcophagus - [roll7]

Listen: [roll8]
Spot: [roll9]

[5ColouredWalker]

Morris

"I would bet this is a test of wits we're closer to passing than that thief is... I'll help you in the search."


+2 for every result above 10. Each roll corresponds to Rose's based on order.

[roll0]
[roll1]
[roll2]
[roll3]
[roll4]
[roll5]
[roll6]
[roll7]

[rypt]

Elira

Elira makes her way across the chamber, keeping a safe distance from the sarcophagus at its center as she moves to examine the shining green lantern. "Could this have been recently lit?" she asks as she attempts to open the lantern and inspect the light source within.

Once she's determined (or at least attempted to determine) whether the light is magical or mundane, Elira carefully removes the indigo lantern from her pack and steps forward to hang it in the alcove between its blue and violet counterparts. After hooking it onto the chain, she holds her hands up on either side of it, looking around as she waits to see if anything happens.

Checks to examine the green lantern:
Search: [roll0]
Spellcraft: [roll1]
Knowledge (arcana): [roll2]

[Debatra]

Tobul circles the room, keeping an eye out for anything unusual in the walls, floor or ceiling.

Search [roll0]

[BelGareth]

You realize that the green light holds no heat to it, and is in fact, an everburning torch.

A sweep of the alcoves discovers the following things:
(In order, left to right)

The lantern that once hung from the chain at the end of this tunnel is nowhere to be seen. It is likely the lantern you found earlier could be attached to the chain.
An orange lantern hangs at the of this passage, the arrow shaped sarcophagi points to this tunnel.
(directly left)
A yellow lantern hangs from the chain at the end of this tunnel.
The green lantern with the ever burning torch hangs at the end of this tunnel.
(Directly opposite the stairs)
The ceiling over the blue lantern is much higher than the others, at least ~10 feet or so (the others being ~40 ft), you notice with some careful experimenting with your light source, that there is an opening at the top of the shaft. A skeleton lies in a heap on the floor here as well, a search reveals several crushed bones as if they had died from a large fall.
The lantern that once hung from the chain at the end of this tunnel is nowhere to be seen. It is likely the lantern you found earlier could be attached to the chain.
(Directly right)
A violet lantern hangs from the last tunnel at the end of the passage.

[BelGareth]

As you investigate the colorful lanterns, you hear a noise from where you came from, a shuffling, scraping noise.

At first, your instinct is to draw swords, and stand ready, but you quickly realize it is the sound of someone not being overtly sneaky, and when the flickering light of a torch, followed by the owner, your nerves are lessened, as while he does have his weapon drawn, a keen looking long sword, you feel as though he is no threat to you.

(enter Cyrius Thorn)


Those players who are not with us, are going to fade from existence

DrK, Cyrius has been tasked by Alllustan as his personal bodyguard/man-at-arms, and he thought it wise to have you go check up on the group, having lost sight of them when they entered earlier in the day. (feel free to RP however he became his bodyguard)

[Deophaun]

Rose

At the sound Rose looks up from her examination of the sarcophagus. "I don't recall hiring a linkboy," she says. "Who are you and why are you here?"

[redzimmer]

Seramal

The half-orc ***** an eyebrow at the newcomer. Unless she was forgetting things in her ripe old age, she'd seen this one back in town.

"Oy, you're one of Allustan's lads, ain'tcha?"

She revels in her butchered common, knowing how much it would exasperate the monks from the orphanage.

[DrK]

Cyrius

Cyrius, torch in hand walks up the strange tomb corridor. Sword drawn as the strange breezes spooked him he clanked up the corridor wondering why Master Allustan had sent him here.

Seeing others ahead he raised the torch high "Hello. I'm looking for Rose and the others my master Allustan sent this way. It had been more than a day and he grew concerned ".

Coming closer the others can see him more clearly, a bulky bald headed young man garbed in heavy plate with a symbol of Kelemvor and Jergal around his throat.

http://cdn.obsidianportal.com/images/226682/Battle_Cleric.jpg



He nods respectfully to each of you. Blessings on you all. I'm Master Thorn, I run errands for Allustan. How have you been faring?"

[Deophaun]

Rose

"Then you've succeeded on your quest. Rose Collart. Pleasure. As for how we're fairing, you can tell Allustan that the local sheep may sleep soundly tonight. I don't suppose he told you why he sent us here?"

[DrK]

Rose

"Then you've succeeded on your quest. Rose Collart. Pleasure. As for how we're fairing, you can tell Allustan that the local sheep may sleep soundly tonight. I don't suppose he told you why he sent us here?"

Cyrius nods. "I'm glad you are the right people. He told me little, I am a bodyguard rather than a confidante. It's not as exciting as I had desired compared to a journeyman year in adventure." Looking about he glances into the darkness ahead. "Would you care for another sword? ".

[redzimmer]

Seramal

Seramal almost laughs, and then she does. This new pup was adorable.

"If it's being held by your strong arm, Master Cyrius, by all means!"

Learning maybe one thing from this jaunt, well-armoured men made the best wolf repellent.

[BelGareth]

After inspecting the sarcophagi, you figure out that it not only can be turned, to point to different alcoves, but the lid most assuredly comes off.

[redzimmer]

Seramal

"Well by Luthic's floppy left... c'mon, Sword Master Cyrius, let's see what will happen if we steer this thing around!"

Seramal begins to push on the stone casket, already forgetting her lesson of caution.

[roll0]

[Deophaun]

Rose

"Careful!" Rose had no reason to know if the sarcophagus was trapped or not. She was reasonably sure there was nothing mechanically tied to it, but magic was another matter, and not something in which she was well enough versed. "I have a better idea. Let's take some ropes and wrapped them around this coffin, then if we man them on opposite sides and pull, we can give this thing a good turn from a safe distance."

Strength Check for the inevitable Aid Another: [roll0]

[DrK]

Cyrius

The burly grave guard helps Rose as she wraps the rope around the coffin top and then tugs on the rope hard to rotate the stone coffin.


[roll0]

[BelGareth]

As a team, you manage to move the sacorphagi, at first, it resisted, but at your combined might, it shifted and once it started, was quiet easy to move. There was an audible 'click' as it pointed towards the next tunnel, and then a rumbling of stone upon stone could be heard.

At the end of the tunnel (the one with the yellow lantern), a round piece of the floor raises slowly, a matte metal tube the size of a man appears to rise from underneath, and with a hiss, two doors slide open on either side. From a quick glance, it appears the tube is hollow, and could fit 1 medium creature easily. There is nothing inside it, and no contraption to close the doors are apparent.

[Deophaun]

Rose

"Some kind of lift?" Rose walks over to the tube and slowly paces around the exterior, giving it a careful inspection. "I wonder if there are more in the other alcoves."

Take 10 on Search for 15
Second Search: [roll0]

Assuming everything checks out: "Who wants to go first?" she asks, looking at anyone but Seramal.

[DrK]

Cyrius looks at the metal tube dubiously. "Looks like a coffin. Shall we move it back and forward to make sure we can bring it up and down before we send anyone down?"

[BelGareth]

You move the sarcophagi back, and the tube lowers, with a grinding reverberating stony noise, back into the ground. Nothing happens when it clicks into place, pointing towards the orange lantern.

[redzimmer]

Seramal

"Brilliant! See what the other doors do!"

Again not waiting to think it through, the sorceress tries to turn the sarcophagus to the next lantern color.

[BelGareth]

Next lantern as in next to Orange (violet), or over Yellow and to Green?

[Deophaun]

Rose

Rose shrugs. Knowing everything about this room first might not be a bad idea. She wasn't much looking forward to going down the strange lift anyway. "Why not?" she asks no one, and helps continue rotating it clockwise.

To Yellow, my good man. Then Green, etc., etc. Violet would be the opposite direction we already turned it in.

[DrK]

Cyrius

The bald cleric pushes and helps lever the coffin spinning it around from lantern to lantern under the strange wizard and Rose's direction.

[BelGareth]

You push the sacophagus to yellow once again, and once again the tube rises from the ground, moving on, you move it pointing towards the green lantern, the tube lowering as before, when the arrow platform points to the green lanterns tunnel, a cacophonous creaking of stone against stone emerges from the ground below the green lantern. Anyone standing within the tunnel feels the ground rumble slightly, as if something is about to give way.

The rumbling does not stop.

[Deophaun]

Rose

"Quick, push it back! Before the whole place collapses!"

When (if) the danger has passed, Rose let's out a sigh.

"So, about that tube. I'll go first."

[BelGareth]

It takes a moment, but, as you push it back, the rumbling stops and the arrow points towards the yellow, where the tube rises from the ground.

[DrK]

Cyrius

Heaving the clerical initiate helps heave the stone back to the previous one, breathing a heavy sign of relief as the rumbling fades. Looing at it he looks again at Rose. "Are you sure you want to go first? I can if you'd like?" If not he walks over to the tube and looks at it gauging if it could be sized to fit two people in it. "We could go down together if you'd like?" though the words are tinged with nerves as he pats the weapons at his side for comfort

[Deophaun]

Rose

Rose slips a wire-cutter out of her kit and juggles it seemingly absentmindedly. "This is a tomb, mate. Built to keep people out. Think about what devilish contraptions the ones who made this"--she strikes the tube with the side of her fist--"could put their minds to to make sure what's buried here stays buried. That's what we have to worry about here.

"Now, if you're handy with one of these," she holds up the cutter and twirls it between her fingers, "then by all means. Otherwise, your strong back will be appreciated at the sarcophagus if there are beasties at the other end and no other way to send this up."

Rose walks towards the tube's entrance. "Keep an ear to the ground. If you hear anything, that'll be me shouting for you to bring me back. Otherwise, give me two minutes to find some controls."

Two minutes just so happens to be enough time to take 20: Search 25

[BelGareth]

Rose enters the tube with slow trepidation, and her mouth opens, about to crack another joke, just as the tube's doors slide shut with a hiss, and the whole thing drops down, and instead of the floor staying level, as before, you now see a stone tube and the top of the chamber holding rose steadily diminishing in the light.


--ʕ*ʔ--

Rose

The walls here are covered in bas-relief images similar to the slender figure upon the sarcophagus lid in the chamber above. Nearly a dozen androgynous, hairless humanoids stand in poses of deference, almost as if they are paying homage to the viewer. Many extend their hands in adoration, their faces awash in adulation. Several of the statues lack hands, arms, heads, or anything else easily hacked off by long absent tomb robbers.

About fifteen feet to the south, a dark passage extends from an elaborately carved arch. Only a little of this hallways is visible, however, as a large stone block obscures most of the passage.


different things happen, depending on if Rose steps out or not.

[Deophaun]

Rose

After a cursory search for anything resembling a trap immediately outside....

1st round Take 10 = 15
2nd round [roll0]
...assuming she finds nothing, Rose steps out... (to search for controls for the tube)

[BelGareth]

Rose finds nothing she can see as being a trap and steps out. The door to the tube remains open.

While she is searching, the tube makes a hissing sound, and rises up into the shaft above.


--ʕ*ʔ--

Everyone else

A moment later, the tube comes back up, as before, it pops up out of the ground, and the door opens to reveal its emptiness.


--ʕ*ʔ--

Rose

As the tube ascends, you find a recessed button.

[Deophaun]

Rose

Out of instinct Rose drops the sunrod and reaches for her dagger at the sudden hiss. It's only when the door closes that she realizes what's happened. "Son of a--" Rose lunges towards the tube, only for it to slide up beyond her reach.

"There's got to be a way to bring it back," she says to herself. "If I was a switch, where would I be? A-ha!" Rose exclaims in victory upon finding the button. "Just don't do anything bad."


Round 1: Take 10 = 15
Round 2: Roll [roll0]
When satisfied that the button probably won't kill her, Rose pushes it.

[DrK]

Cyrius

THe bald-header warrior mutters an oath under his breath as the tube ascends and appears once more. Glancing at the others - "Avenge me if you can" he barks before running into the tube and lookinga round for a button or some other depression, finger hole or something to pull/push that will send him down to rescue Rose.

[BelGareth]

Almost at the same time, the tube rises up, opens the door, and Cyrius barrels in, intent on finding out where Rose went, as Rose presses the button to recall the elevator.

The tube rumbles, and appears before Rose, the slides open to reveal Cryrius.

[Deophaun]

Rose

Rose's eyes narrow as the shiny head of Cyrius appears before her.

"What part of two minutes... Stay there. If you step out, it's just going to go back up and then someone else might panic and come down."

Rose pushes the button a second time.

********

"It seems safe enough. At least, we have a way back up," Rose says after figuring out the button. "You can all come down."

"Now, there must be some way around this stone block."

Take 20 on the stone block for 28, looking for controls/hidden mechanisms/traps/secret passages

[BelGareth]

The stone block is roughly 10 feet wide by 2 feet deep by 8 feet tall, and nearly seals off the passage to the south. A large rich e about the same size as the block opens in ceiling 10 feet above. A fine layer of dust covers everything in the room.

You manage to crawl on top of the block and gain a good view of the darkened hallway beyond, and manage to make out a handful of alcoves marking the walls of the tunnel at regular intervals.

You think you could squeeze through it, or, if you got a few of you, you might be able to push the block to the side.


Escape Artist DC 25 to squeeze through
or
DC 25 Str check to push the slab.

[redzimmer]

Seramal

Small for her father's kind, but still stronger than the human side, Seramal tries to help shove the stone aside.

[roll0]

"Huh. Well okay then."

[DrK]

Cyrius

THe young man grins at Rose and Seramal as the sorcerer joins them in the dim chamber. The light of the sunrod sheds enough light to see all the small room to ward off some of the feeling of claustrophobia that the small room would othersiw justify. Looking at the gap and the slab he nods to the others. "Can you girls give me a hand. We'l see if all together we can push this down. It may take a few tries. It looks pretty heavy!". Putting his shoulder against the slab he leans in trying to push it aside.


Hope for assists but I'l roll the first 5 tries
[roll0]
[roll1]
[roll2]
[roll3]
[roll4]

[Debatra]

Tobul will take a few moments to look the stone up and down, trying to find the best angle. A Dwarf knows a stone, and she in particular studies structures when she can.

Knowledge (Arch/Eng) - [roll0]

[BelGareth]

With Tobul's keen eye, she directs you in how to best leverage the stone. You all begin to push the heavy stone, and it starts to barely move when Rose yells out "STOP!" she eyed something earlier, and now it was very apparent what it was. Bending down, she inspects the bottom of the stone, and sees the telltale sign of a pressure plate, neatly hidden beneath the large stone.

It was a trap, and a well placed one.

After a few minutes, she pulls a slender rod from a kit, and manages to slide it into the contraption, and then another one, this time a thin bar made of adamantium, which she edges into the gap between the stone floor, and the pressure plate at an angle, the rod holding something up and allowing her to leverage the plate with the flat bar. With delicate moves of each, and her biting her lip in concentration, she hears a *Click*. Smiling she looks up and nods to the others.

You all move the stone to the side with a heavy *Thump*, careful to avoid the thin rod protruding from the floor.


--ʕ*ʔ--

Curious carvings that seem to represent a stirring tempest cover the walls of this ten-foot-wide passage. At ten-foot intervals, small alcoves flank the passage, and each alcove contains an androgynous humanoid figure with cupped hands. The figures stand roughly seven feet tall. A faint wind seems to play within the passage, but its difficult to tell where its coming from.


http://i.imgur.com/MqPZbY1.png

[redzimmer]

Seramal

"Okay, this place seems intent on killing us. Must have some choice treasure!"

Uncharacteristically, Seramal pauses to look for anything obviously dangerous.

[roll0] Search for the obvious
[roll1] Spot anything moving or shiny

[BelGareth]

Seramal sees nothing that would grab her attention.

[redzimmer]

Seramal

"Welp, looks safe!"

With what almost amount to skipping gaily, the sorceress walks down the hall.

"Yo, Tobul! What d'ya think these statues are worth?"

Seramal is starting to make me think of Robin DeSanto.

[DrK]

Cyrius breathes a sight of relief. Sweat streaming from his bald head at the effort of moving the stone he is too slow to stop the sorceress smiling down the passage. A sword in one hand and the sunrod in the other he walks down after the skipping Seramal looking at the various statues

[Deophaun]

Rose

Rose stored her tools and once more kept a dagger out. She was quickly learning that it was pointless to hold the half-orc back. Still, what were the chances the corridor beyond the trap was also trapped?

Pretty high, she guessed.

"If the condition of these statues is anything to go by, this place should be untouched. Although it looks like they're supposed to be holding something."

Spot:[roll0]
Search:[roll1]
Listen (wind):[roll2]

[BelGareth]

As Seramal moves through the hallway, a flash appears from behind one of the statues shooting toward her!


[roll0]
[roll1] vs flat footed (HIT)
If hit, Will save DC 11 or fall asleep per Sleep spell (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/spells/sleep.htm)

Map (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1JWzylJtisnNUgN-Laxp1g-ADfcNycZrQRiqwibeR_Ss/edit?usp=sharing)


Roll init, and post actions.

[redzimmer]

Seramal

Let's see what Iron Will feat is worth: [roll0] Aaaaand 1.

And suddenly mid-skip the half-orc collapses, her tall frame folding like so many hinges.

Seramal Three-Curses (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=847177)
F CG Half-orc Sorcerer, Level 2, Init 2, HP 12/12, Speed 30
AC 12, Touch 12, Flat-footed 10, Fort 2, Ref 2, Will 6, Base Attack Bonus 1
Masterwork Morningstar +2 (1d8+1, x2)
(+2 Dex)
Abilities Str 12, Dex 14, Con 14, Int 10, Wis 12, Cha 15
Condition Asleep

[Deophaun]

Rose

"One hundred percent!" Rose shouts out, carrying her thoughts into the open. She sees Seramal crumple to the floor, unsure if the half-orc's alive or dead. Rose tosses her sunrod down to where the beam came from and takes cover by one of the statues.

Attack roll if necessary for sunrod: [roll0]

Initiative: [roll1]
Spellcraft: [roll2]
Spot:[roll3]

HP: 14/14
AC:17 Touch:13 Flat-footed:14
Fort:2 Ref:6 Will:4

Conditions:
Filter mask: +2 to saves against gas-based effects.
Island of blades: Flanking if Rose and ally are adjacent to the same creature.

[Debatra]

Init: [roll0]

Tobul will roll her eyes as Seramal goes down again, then jog to O-13 while pulling out an Eggshell Grenade. If she sees anyone behind the statue, she will throw it at them unless one of her allies would be within the AoE.

Declare Dodge feat vs whatever attacked Seramal.

Ranged Touch: [roll1]
On Hit: Blinded for [roll2] rounds (no save)
5' radius: Fortitude 10 or blind for 1 round
Tobul Fortitude: [roll3]

[DrK]

Cyrius

The young cleric watches Seramal fall even as he shouts a warning. Shaking his head sadly he moves towards the source of the problem shield and sword ready. A low "Careful, we don't know what manner of beast it is!"



Swift: crusader stance
Move: moved on mal
If something there: hit it [roll0] dam [roll1]

AC 19 (FF 19, Touch 10)
Saves 5, 0, 3

Stance: crusader strike
Ready: stone bones, crusader strike
[roll2]
Vanguard, lead attack, douse flames

[BelGareth]

As Seramal drops to the ground, the others react with the precision they lacked earlier, Rose throws her sunrod to illuminate the area where the attack came from, revealing a grotesque set of floating eyeballs hovering just behind the statue.

http://bp2.blogger.com/_DOGdbcvTBcc/R0C4_qW2riI/AAAAAAAAAK0/5o2d3NGVJcw/s320/Lurking+Strangler+10.JPG

Tobul, knowing more about dungeons and what can lurk in them, wastes no time and launches an eggshell grenade directly at the eyes, she scores a direct hit, blinding the abomination, as Cyrius strides up and slices the thing in half, dropping each eyeball to the ground, where it squirmed for a moment, and then shuddered one last time. It stopped moving and stared out of its lidless eyes.

[Deophaun]

Rose

With the battle over and the threat obviously not a trap, Rose kneels over Seramal and shakes her to wake her up.

"Stop running ahead!"

[BelGareth]

Seramal wakes up, oblivious as to what just happened.

[DrK]

Cyrius picks up the pair of eye-balls that dangle together. "Hmm, a strange beast. What manner of creature is it?" He spins around dangling the pair of balls together. "Seramal. Can you keep behind us, just to make sure you are safe.". THrowing the eyeballs back into the corner he scoops up the sunrod and heads further down the corridor, sword and sunrod at the ready.

[redzimmer]

Seramal

"Well,Master Cyrius, I expect you got a good look whilst I was in a state of discomfiture," Seramal says with a mocking, prim tone.

"I don't know what the harlots in the Vein are like, but I expect more courtesy from a gentleman."

Brushing off her clothes, she stands up again.

[Debatra]

Tobul will take a closer look at the creature.

K: Dungeoneering [roll0]

[Deophaun]

Rose

"Hey, light thief!" she calls to Cyrius as he carries off her sunrod in addition to his own. "My eyes may be sharp, but they aren't no dwarf's. Don't work well in the dark."

When (if) she recovers her light-source, Rose goes back to clearing the path ahead for traps, curious as to the unknown stuff to the right (West?).


Take 10 on Search for 18.
Roll Search: [roll0]
Listen: [roll1]

[BelGareth]

After a brief tense moment, and raised eyebrow, Cyrius hands back the sunrod to Rose and allows her to search the hallway before him, keeping a watchful eye out. (ahem)

Tobul inspects the eyeballs, but is unable to recall what it is exactly, though, she thinks it might be related to beholders in some fashion.


--ʕ*ʔ--

A dull gray stone pillar reaches from floor to ceiling in this large chamber. Halls extend to the east and west.

The west wall of the rooms grey central pillar holds a deep recession that ends at what looks like a fountain basin about 4 feet off the ground. Coming from this, is a thick brown substance that spreads across the floor into the adjoining room.


http://i.imgur.com/LOwAHEm.png

[redzimmer]

Seramal

"Ick," is all the half-orc opines, looking at the brown sludge.

Knowing what she's learned so far in this death trap of a tomb, she readies the most offensive spell that comes to mind.

[DrK]

Cyrius

THe young warrior monk ambles into the room and looks at the sludge before nodding to the other room opposite. "I don't like the look of that brown sludge. I'm having a look over there" he mutters clutching his weapon as he ambles towards the right hand room.

[BelGareth]

Cyrius, Seramal, Rose, & Tobul

As you move over to investigate the other area, a faint tinkling of bells rings, and a warm soft voice seems to wash over you all.

"I have sent more help, I had planned them for something else, but it seems you are in need of more help, they should be arriving shortly, Cyrius should know them by sight."


--ʕ*ʔ--

Casper, Fenton, & Narl

You had instructions, you were to go out, and backup the group that had already entered the whispering cairn. You didn't know each other, not very well, but you knew who to look for. Fenton forced labor in the mines had been bought out, and now he worked for the wizard Allustan, much like Cyrius, Narl was being sponsored into some elite group for his services, but Casper? He hadn't said yet.

You found the hut, and from there the entrance to the whispering cairn, which lived up to its namesake, entering you, found obvious signs of struggle and battle, passing blood trails and the like.

Moving down through a webbed stairwell, you sarcophagi which points to a tunnel like alcove.

But no one is here. Was the old wizard wrong?

[redzimmer]

Seramal

"Oi! We're down here! Did you bring ham? Green sorceress needs food, badly!"

It seems her magical reverie did nothing to teach her about caution.

[J-H]

Casper

Casper walks forward, looking at the end of the tunnel. "Perhaps there's a hidden passage?"

[Corlindale]

Fenton strides towards the alcove self-importantly, looking quite ridiculous in his mud-stained robes. He stands next to Casper, leans forward and tries to see what he can as well.

"If there is a secret entrance, rest assured that it shall be revealed through my powers."

He holds one hand out, palm forward and fingers stretched, as if performing some kind of spell.


Fenton currenly has Darkvision because he's bound to Amon.
Rolling Spot if relevant: [roll0]

[BelGareth]

You see nothing untowards. Except for a rope tied around the sarcophagi.

(they won't be able to hear you, and the elevator is still down with you)

[J-H]

Casper

Casper inspects the rope. If it looks new, he grasps the end of it and gives it a tug, while standing as far away as he can.

[Deophaun]

Rose

"Wait! What do you want us to look for?" she says to the disembodied words, her voice turning to a growl as the she is answered with silence.

"You know, I'm beginning to think he doesn't have much faith in us. Wonder why that is?" Rose looks towards Seramal.

As Cyrius turns his back to the mold, Rose follows suit towards the right. "It can wait, then. Let me make sure there's nothing to trip over there that will bring the ceiling down on us."

Search Take 10: 18
Search [roll0]
Listen: [roll1]

[rax]

Joining Casper at the sarcophagus, Narl watches as he tugs at the rope. This close to the sarcophagus, the glowing ball of light hovering at his shoulder provides enough light to see both the details of the sarcophagus and the rope arrangement clearly. "So, what do you think the ropes are for? Clearly not an attempt to get the lid off, I'd say. Think they might have been trying to move it somehow?"

[J-H]

Casper

"I suppose. At least there are no bloodstains around. Shall we?" With the other's agreement, he grabs the rope and tugs in the direction indicated by the ropes' placement.

[Debatra]

"Perhaps one of us should go back up for them?"

[rax]

Casper

"I suppose. At least there are no bloodstains around. Shall we?" With the other's agreement, he grabs the rope and tugs in the direction indicated by the ropes' placement.Narl wipes a tear from the corner of his eye before answering with a wry grin. "Lack of blood doesn't necessarily mean lack of foul play, you know. But by all means, let's have ourselves a tug of war and see what happens." Glancing over to where Fenton is standing, Narl calls out. "Fenton! We're going to try and move the sarcophagus. Be ready to help if something comes jumping out at us!" Narl then picks up the other rope and begins to pull in the opposite direction from Casper.

[Corlindale]

Fenton scoffs a bit at Narl's presumption in giving someone of his importance orders, but he does get in position to step in if something should happen, carefully scanning the room for hidden threats.

[redzimmer]

Seramal

"They're probably dead by now, all the traps in this place," Seramal muses aloud. "We should go find them and add 'em to the corpse pile we're buildin'."

Seramal walks back to the elevator chamber, sensible as ever.

[DrK]

Cyrius

Cyrius looks at the others and the room they are in and the mold. Should we go back upstairs to guide them down here lest something untowards happen. THey can help us explore down here. They must have been sent by either ALlustan or my order to aid us."

[BelGareth]

Cyrius, Seramal, Rose, & Tobul

Under Cyrius' direction, and stern gaze, the group below moves to the cylinder, allowing the only member of the group who knows the newcomers to go up one level. Seramal, Rose, & Tobul stay behind, and watch shadows warily.

Casper, Fenton, & Narl

You grab both ends of the rope, and prepare to pull. But just as you do, you hear a rumbling stone on stone noise, and then a hissss, as a cylindrical stone pillar rises from the ground, and a door opens to reveal a man you know, even if briefly, as one of Allustans men.

[redzimmer]

Seramal

"He seems nice. Hope he doesn't die," Seramal muses as she checks the balance on her morningstar.

[J-H]

Casper

"Huh. I wouldn't have looked over there. Hi, I'm Casper. I think we met briefly a while back; what was your name again?"

[rax]

Narl

Narl drops the rope and whirls around at the rumbling, hissing sounds, readying his flail to meet whatever threat may appear. Seeing a familiar face appear from the stone pillar, he breathes a sigh of relief and nods in recognition. Following Casper's lead, he introduces himself. "I'm Narl. Master Allustan sent us here to look for his lost canaries. You wouldn't happen to know what happened to them?"

[Corlindale]

Fenton steps forward, proudly announcing himself:

"And I...am the most magnificent Fenton Kell, of the Waterdeep Wizard Academy!"

He hesitates, waiting for oohs and aahs that never really come. Somewhat confused, he continues in a normal tone of voice:

"Yes, indeed, we are the ones sent to get you out of trouble. Are there more of you within?"

[Deophaun]

Rose

"He's not you, so he'll be fine," she answers Seramal. "I'll finish checking the passage. Try not to be under the lift when it comes back down."

Back to searching the right side!

Search Take 10: 18
Search [roll0]
Listen [roll1]

[DrK]

Cyrius

The narrow tube scares him as he panics momentarily about it jamming but then it reaches the surface.
"aye lads. It's Cyrius, come on down and meet the others. We've only two more rooms to sweep down here then we can try another of these shafts." After greeting Fenton, Narl and Caspar he'll show them how the "lift" works and head back to to the lower level. "Rose, Seramal, look. Allustan has sent some help."

[rax]

Narl

"Well, that's good news. Mission accomplished in record time and no one's dead," Narl jokes to his companions, then follows Cyrius to the lower level.

[BelGareth]

Cyrius, Casper, Fenton, & Narl

Cyrius shows you to the elevator tube, and how to use it, one at a time, you head downstairs, taking the elevator ride, some of you find a little cramped, and those of you who suffer from claustrophobia suffer a little more, but it’s a quick ride down.

When the door opens, it reveals another chamber.

The walls here are covered in bas-relief images similar to the slender figure upon the sarcophagus lid in the chamber above. Nearly a dozen androgynous, hairless humanoids stand in poses of deference, almost as if they are paying homage to the viewer. Many extend their hands in adoration, their faces awash in adulation. Several of the statues lack hands, arms, heads, or anything else easily hacked off by long absent tomb robbers.

There is one exit, which you surmise was blocked by a large stone rolled to the side. On the floor there is a small silver rod protruding from the floor at an odd angle, curious inspectors will find a very well hidden pressure plate, which is stuck in the up position.



http://i.imgur.com/MqPZbY1.png



Down the hallway leading away from the opening are some curious carvings that seem to represent a stirring tempest covering the walls of this ten-foot-wide passage. At ten-foot intervals, small alcoves flank the passage, and each alcove contains an androgynous humanoid figure with cupped hands. The figures stand roughly seven feet tall. A faint wind seems to play within the passage, but its difficult to tell where its coming from.



http://i.imgur.com/LOwAHEm.png



From this hallway, which is faintly lit up by someone looking at the next room to the left, you see a dwarf in heavy armor, and a barely clothed half-orc. Cyrius strides down the hallway with sure confidence, declaring your presence.

Seramal & Tobul

As you watch Rose investigate the other side of the pillar, staying away from the mold, you notice movement down the hallway, hearing the elevator going several times. It’s easy to see Cryius, and he brings new people, they must be the help. 2 humans, and a halfling.

Rose

You look at the other side of the pillar, and notice something strange about this opening, to the fact there is a foot sticking out of it? Seems like a portion of the ceiling came down upon a section of the pillar that was hollowed out, and some poor sod met his doom there. A little search later, and you can find a catch that releases the pillar, revealing a crushed human skeleton wearing shiny silver chainmail. There are some broken tools, but it seems not all of them are, you find the following: 1 suit of silvery chainmail, a leather sack so old that it crumbles when touched, containing the remains of 3 broken statuettes, and 3 that are in excellent condition; a grand palace, a slim spire with eight connected smaller towers of different heights, and what looks like a grand stadium. (Each statue looks to be worth 100-300 gp), a slender rod of strange metals, another rod of interwoven glass, and some finely crafted goggles.

To the left, you see another room: This wide chamber must once have been the living quarters of an important figure. A large stone slab that suggest the shape of a bed, rests against the east wall, under a huge bas-relief of a robust, long-nosed bald humanoid figure with outstretched hands. The figure wears a lovingly sculpted wind-tossed robe that gives him the appearance of a triumphant god. A glyph that looks like a stylized arrow marks an amulet worn around the figures neck. Wardrobes and dresser seemingly carved from the stone walls look to have been ransacked a long time ago.

[redzimmer]

Seramal

"Wotcher! I'm Seramal." Seramal says, greeting the newcomers. "Bring anything to drink? Dungeoneering is thirty work."

[Deophaun]

Rose

Seeing the remains underneath the pillar, Rose grasps the symbol of Helm and utters a silent prayer. Let me prevent this from happening to anyone else.

The stark contrast in condition between the corpse's equipment makes her suspicious of magic. Certainly normal mail would have corroded after being crushed by stone and left in a tunnel moist enough to grow mold. The leather pieces were proof of how unfit for preservation this chamber was.

The googles draw her attention soon after; those should have met the same fate as the pouch, but they looked like new. If they were magic, they weren't enough to for this poor soul to see his demise soon enough to stop it, but they didn't look like the cause of it, either. The rods, too, were obviously magical in design. Wands like those she occasioned to glance in Waterdeep, no doubt.

Strangest of all were the miniature buildings. Probably not magical; they didn't all survive the collapse intact, but there were six of them. Rose's mind turns to the six statues down the corridor, their hands cupped holding nothing. Could they be related?

Seramal's voice brings Rose out of her thoughts. "Over here," she calls to the group. "Another reminder of what this place has in store for us, but I'm sure this fellow wouldn't mind if we made use of his gear, one tomb robber to another," she says as she shows the group everything she found. "We can get some coin for the statues that aren't busted, and for the other three, well, I've seen young acolytes fix broken pots for a small donation. They might not be a loss. Course, they could be a sort of key with those large ones you just passed."

Rose takes the goggles in hand. She briefly considers getting Seramal to try them on, but finds the idea of putting anyone else in danger distasteful. There's risk in the unknown, but this place has shown that it will kill if they aren't paying attention. If these can help her see, can she afford not to?

"They call me Rose, by the way," she says as she snaps the goggles over her eyes. "If you'll excuse me, there's another room I'll get to checking."

Take 10 Search: 18
Search: [roll0]
Spot: [roll1]
listen: [roll2]

Let me know if Rose notices anything different with the snazzy eye gear

[redzimmer]

Seramal

"Oooh! What're these then?"

Casting detect magic, the sorceress stares at the rods and chain.

Then look around.
Search [roll0]

[BelGareth]

I'm just going to give you them, because I hate the idea of the Identify spell.

+1 Chainmail
Wand of unseen servant 16 charges
Wand of Shatter 7 charges
Goggles of minute seeing

[redzimmer]

Seramal

Giddy at the thought of magical swag, Seramal shares what the items are.

"Can any of you lot work wands?" she asks. "I can give 'em a good home if not..."

[Corlindale]

As Fenton passes the various statues, his face lights up in a smile.

"Oh... I like this! "

He smiles benignly towards the adoring figures, as if graciously accepting their worship, while he strides proudly down the hallway.

As he sees Rose and Seremal, he smiles and bows, dropping his floppy hat in the dust below. He picks it up again and replaces it with one floating motion, trying unsuccesfully to look as if it didn't happen.

"It is an honor to meet you, my fair ladies. Alas, I would have loved to conjure some wine for you, but I sadly did not prepare that spell today. Truly, the academy should have offered better instructions on the most useful kind of magic when cave-delving!

I am Fenton Kell, by they way, but you probably guessed that already! The yoke of fame, I am afraid."

He sighs in mock frustration.

[J-H]

Casper

Casper awkwardly gets out of the cramped elevator tube, having had to wedge himself around his longspear to make it fit.

"Hello, I'm Casper. I heard there were some monsters here and that you guys needed help, and.... wellitsnotlikeIhadanythingelsetodo."

He walks into the room, looking around at the strange statues. "What is this place? Some ancient temple? Those statues don't look like any people I've ever seen."


K: Planes [roll0]
K: Dungeoneering [roll1]
K: Psionics [roll2]

[rax]

Narl

"Hello everyone, I'm Narl. Glad to see you're alright and that you've made good progress. Could you fill us in on what you've learned about this place so far? I too studied arcane matters in Waterdeep for a while," he says with a nod in Fenton's direction. "Perhaps I could be of assistance in deciphering some of the cairn's mysteries?"

When Seramal asks about the wands, Narl smiles and replies: "I believe I could make use of the servant-conjuring wand, but these are your group's finds. No need to share them if you can activate them yourself. And besides, we'll all benefit from them as long as we stick together."

[Deophaun]

Rose

At Narl's offer to understand the cairn, Rose chimes in. "This is as good a place as any to start. Take this symbol here," Rose steps back from the amulet carved into the wall after giving it a careful examination, "I've never seen its like before. Not that I ever had much of a chance to learn such things. Maybe you came across it in your academy studies.

"You've seen those statues, and you've seen the chamber above. You may have seen the mural showing every lantern in that place lit up, and you may have noticed one of the lanterns is missing. A deep, almost purple blue one. That is what I am on the hunt for, though you may find something more pressing. Regardless, this place has claimed the lives of at least two before we arrived, and it has nearly robbed us of the company of Seramal twice.

"Oh, and there was an old, broken mirror back by the entrance that had something to do with transportation magic. We have what few shards of glass remained, as well as a nice elven armband, though I do not think it related."

[Debatra]

The Dwarf speaks absently as she examines the newfound armor in comparison to her own. "Call me Tobul, or 'Captain Amshem' if you're more of a military mindset." She holds up the chain to the group at large. "Does anyone else need this? My own armor is about as good, but only when I move a certain way. But I've gotten good at moving like that, so it would be better to upgrade someone else's equipment than to just give me a little more consistency."

[DrK]

Cyrius

The young man grins as the others unearth the crushed thief. "I leave for a few minutes to get some friends and you unearth a treasure Rose. Well done." Looking around downstairs he wonders, "If wecare finished in this chamber shall we try another? With the 7 lanterns there could be 7 more vaults like this one! "

[BelGareth]

After thoroughly searching the room, you find some interesting things; The stone slab has a thin sheet of air which pushes your hand or any other instrument up with a strong current.

Anyone attempting to move onto it, finds it comfortably buoys a medium sized creature on a bed of air.

The rest of the room comes up empty, and has been long since ransacked.

Searching around the column, you see a dry fountain along the south face of the central pillar, featuring a low basin and a wall spigot about 8 feet high, looking like a shower. Opposite the dry fountain is a door.


[roll0]
[roll1]


Rose is very confident that it is not trapped or locked. Opening it, she finds what seems to be an austere lavatory.

The mold blocks the way to the next room.

[rax]

Narl

At Narl's offer to understand the cairn, Rose chimes in. "This is as good a place as any to start. Take this symbol here," Rose steps back from the amulet carved into the wall after giving it a careful examination, "I've never seen its like before. Not that I ever had much of a chance to learn such things. Maybe you came across it in your academy studies.

"You've seen those statues, and you've seen the chamber above. You may have seen the mural showing every lantern in that place lit up, and you may have noticed one of the lanterns is missing. A deep, almost purple blue one. That is what I am on the hunt for, though you may find something more pressing. Regardless, this place has claimed the lives of at least two before we arrived, and it has nearly robbed us of the company of Seramal twice.

"Oh, and there was an old, broken mirror back by the entrance that had something to do with transportation magic. We have what few shards of glass remained, as well as a nice elven armband, though I do not think it related.""Well, you've certainly been busy," Narl replies with a disarming smile. "I'm afraid that we didn't stop to admire much of the cairn on the way in, but the mural and that mirror do sound most interesting. I'll be happy to give them a look once we've finished here. No doubt Fenton will grant us the benefit of his knowledge of arcane matters as well. Which reminds me - does anyone know what that horrific brown mess is?" Narl asks, pointing his flail at the brown mold infesting the other half of the main room. "But anyway, let's have a look at that symbol..."

Taking 10 if possible = 17
[roll0]

[Deophaun]

Rose

"I still think I'd prefer a ditch outside," she says after examining the state of the facilities. The last thing she wants is to be caught with her pants down in this place.

"I believe you are right to distrust anything that grows on these walls. Every living thing here so far has shown a hatred of life; there's no reason that should be any different. Still, there may be someone who can tell us about it back in town, and there is no pressing need to wade through it today. When you are ready, head back to the lift and I will collect a sample."

Rose will take 20 on the Wisdom check to mould the three pounds of shapesand into something like a 10'-long spoon and, holding her breath, collect a small amount of the mold and seal it in the empty vial left over from the potion of lesser vigor, then she'll take 20 to return the shapesand to the gauntlets and pair of daggers

[Debatra]

"Hold a moment before you do that, and let me have a look. I know a bit about plants, though I'm not exactly a scholar." That said, the Dwarf will take a few steps forward for a better look at the mold and sludge.

K: Nature (Mold) [roll0]
K: Nature (Sludge) [roll1]

[Corlindale]

Fenton joins Narl to look at the carving with the amulet.

"Hmm...very interesting. I did study arcane symbololog..symbolligy...I did study the lore of arcane symbols a LOT in Waterdeep. I just need to search my memory...let's see... an arrow... points the way, so... this means the man was a seeker of something...knowledge... or magic... or disciples...or... " he brightens "...treasure"?

He looks over the rest of the figure, in all his apparent godhood. There is a strange longing in his eyes.

Bluff check to sound like he has any clue what he's talking about: [roll0]

Generic intelligence check, because no actual knowledge skills: [roll1]

[BelGareth]

No one is able to recall anything regarding the cairn, or any of the symbols in it.


Rose attempts to shape her sand, which she does. Holds the makeshift long-spoon out to scoop some of the mold, which she does, it feels like a jelly or mouse you've had before at the amazing festivals they hold every winter moon to celebrate the harvest. However it smells of sour eggs, and the scooping of it, has seemingly disturbed it, sending the smell into the entire area, and spreading.

Making a sour face, she brings the spoon back, and suddenly, Tobul and Rose feel an intense coldness. Both take [roll0] damage.


Link (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1JWzylJtisnNUgN-Laxp1g-ADfcNycZrQRiqwibeR_Ss/edit?usp=sharing)
What is everyone using for illumination, I know Rose is holding a sunrod

[Deophaun]

Rose

At the surge of cold Rose shivers and inhales sharply. She tries to jump back, but numbness takes her limbs. She is unconscious before her body hits the ground.

[Debatra]

One hand trying to cover her face; Tobul will attempt to grab Rose and drag her back towards the group, leaving the mold behind.

[Corlindale]

As he sees Rose collapse and feels the air near the mold getting colder, Fenton tries to force himself closer despite the spreading chill.

Through chattering teeth, he utters:

"St..stand...back...I can...handle...this...I...think..."

He inhales deeply and flames suddenly appear in his mouth. Exhaling again, he releases a jet of flame directed towards the patch of icy mold, hoping to burn some of it away.

Fenton tries to get within range to use his Fire Breath ability (20 ft. line).
Assuming he doesn't collapse from the cold first, of course:

Damage (fire): [roll0]
Reflex DC: 15 for half.

He uses Darkvision to see, doesn't carry any light.

[rax]

Narl

Disappointed by his failure to decipher the symbols, Narl emerges from the living quarters just in time to see Rose collapse and Fenton unleash his flaming breath.

OOC: Just so it's clear when Narl turns up in the main room.

[redzimmer]

Seramal

"Graz'zt's bright blue...! Hold on Rosey!" Seramal brandishes the unseen servant wand at the brown sludge.

"Sweep away that... stuff!" she commands the invisible construct.

[DrK]

Cyrius

Hearing a commotion and holding his gently splashing hearthfire lantern, the cube of gel spreading a cold green light in some 20ft he hears the thud of a falling body and the commotion ahead. He clunks in his plate up the corridor before spying the commotion. "What has happened here. Why is Rose unconcious." He looks at the others. "Help me get her to the doorway where things seem safe." Laying down the cool lantern he drags her (with help I hope) across the room before placing his hand upon her head. "The dead lie easy little sister, you are not yet ready for them" and a soft glow surrounds her. Her body revitalising.


Cast lesser vigour on Rose. 11 hps over 11 rounds

[BelGareth]

As Rose drops to the floor from a sudden onset of 0 energy, Tobul, and a fast moving Cyrius manage to move her away, once situated, Cyrius lays hands on her, and her eyes pop open as she feels warm powerful positive energy soothing throughout her body, erasing the sudden fatigue that bought her low.

As this happens, a stalwart, and earnest Fenton moves forward, intent on quelling the mold-or-whatever-it-is with a breath of his fire!
He takes [roll0] damage as his breath scorches the mold, and for an instant, you feel cold jubilation at what must be a good idea at work.

But then the Mold erupts, almost springing forth, surging with growth from the flame. It must feed off the heat! The mold has literally doubled in size!

Seramel summons a servant, which obediently starts sweeping it away, but is only able to move a small portion as the mass erupts in growth!


Unseen servant 2/6 hp's

Link (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1JWzylJtisnNUgN-Laxp1g-ADfcNycZrQRiqwibeR_Ss/edit?usp=sharing)

I moved some of you, as most of you did not pay attention :P

[J-H]

Casper

Casper figures out what's going on and starts shouting. "No, no, no fire! Keep away from it and kill it with cold! Snow, ice, doesn't matter, just hit it with something chilly!"


No action...yet. If nobody has cold damage, I'll enlarge and engage with my longspear.

[redzimmer]

Seramal

"Ooooh! I have a cold thing! Look!

The sorceress reaches into her pack and proudly brandishes a flask of alchemist's frost.

"How does it work?"

[rax]

Narl

"I believe you just throw it at the mold, mistress Seramal. The flask breaks and the contents do the rest. Though I think it's best if everyone stands back a bit before you throw it. You know, just in case Casper's mistaken," Narl replies with a smile and a wink at Casper.

[Corlindale]

Fenton stares at the expanding mold in disbelief: "That...that should have worked! This place makes no sense!"

Before his indignation takes complete control, he suddenly realizes how dangerous it is to stand right in the middle of this expanding mass - and he moves as far away as possible.

[Debatra]

Presently lacking a way to chill the thing, Tobul simply interposes herself between the mold and her allies.

Total Defense, declare dodge vs mold, AC 26, Touch 19.

Ready to 5' step, either to block something headed for an ally, or to back away if it continues to grow.

[redzimmer]

Seramal

With a deep breath, Seramal walks towards the mold, closes her eyes, and tosses the flask of alchemical coldness at the brown... stuff.

[roll0] ranged touch splash weapon.

If a miss [roll1]

"Ah Sorrysorrysorrysorry!"

[Deophaun]

Rose

Rose's breath is visible through her shivering lips as she weakly pulls herself up.

"Th-thank-k yu-u-uo," she says to Cyrius, huddled over and waiting for the warmth to return to her limbs. "Th-th-ough if-f yo-ou wou-uld-dn't m-m-m-mind," she looks at Casper, "next t-time say-y s-s-s-ome-thing be-f-fore I poh-ke at it."

She extends her hand, still gripping the vial she had earlier. "S-s-eramal, c-can you g-get that s-s-servant to put-t s-some of that in th-this. C-could b-be usef-ful."

[DrK]

Cyrius

The initiate pats Rose on the shoulder before helping her to her feet. "No problems. I know you would do the same for should I fall." then looking at the spreading mould he shrugs. "If we throw some light into that room we can see if it it looks interesting. If it doesn'tr shall we leave this horrible fungus and head back upstairs and try and different elevator?". He looks at Rose, "I do not want us to fall pray to a mere mould."

[BelGareth]

Seramel goes to throw the flask, but trips at the same time, sending herself, and the flask forward!

She slams against the cold stony floor as the flask splashes right before her, hitting the mold as well as herself.

The Mold instantly shrivels up and dies, sucking inwards like an explosion in reverse, it eventually crisps to a small black powder and puffs out of existence, this is like a chain reaction, as the mold dies off foot by foot, leaving a thin film of powder, which the unseen servant dutifully cleans up.

Looking into the last room, you see the ceiling of this large chamber, which glows with what looks like natural sunlight, illuminating a series of worktables, vises, spinning wheels, and blocks of unfinished marble that identify the room as a sculptors workshop. A huge unfinished statue of an imposing bare-chested warrior wielding a staff-like rod in its left hand dominates the north wall. The hairless figure looks similar to the bas-relief on the the sarcophagus upstairs, but is clearly meant to be a different person. A short red metal pedestal against the south wall displays what appears to be a jet-black stone egg the size of a small boulder. A gold glyph - an equilateral triangle with short hash marks through each leg - marks the face of this egg.

Anyone looking at the rod can see it has had six grooves cut into it, suggesting seven parts, other than that it is a good looking stave that could be used as a quarterstaff.


The ceiling has a permanent Daylight (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/spells/daylight.htm) spell affect upon it.




You identify the gold symbol upon the ebon egg as the personal device of Ogrémoch, a legendary elemental prince of evil.


You identify the gold symbol upon the ebon egg as the personal device of Ogrémoch, a legendary elemental prince of evil.

Ogrémoch and a legion of lesser earth elementals were said to have served on the side of the Queen of Chaos at the great final battle at Pesh that ended a primordial war between Chaos and Law



A sudden rush of information comes to those who have ranks of Arcana or history regarding the glyphs you have been seeing, which had been nagging you in the back of your mind.


The glyphs don't seem to be formed from a common alphabet, although they are reminiscent of arcane symbols representing elemental air.


The glyphs don't seem to be formed from a common alphabet, although they are reminiscent of arcane symbols representing elemental air.

They represent names, with each referring to a single individual. The glyph on the arcane apparatus at area 2 probably represents the seal of the most important or highest-ranking of the three found in the Whispering Cairn. The glyph on the sarcohpagi is the lowest-ranking of the three.


The glyphs don't seem to be formed from a common alphabet, although they are reminiscent of arcane symbols representing elemental air.

They represent names, with each referring to a single individual. The glyph on the arcane apparatus at area 2 probably represents the seal of the most important or highest-ranking of the three found in the Whispering Cairn. The glyph on the sarcohpagi is the lowest-ranking of the three.

The letter forms look similar to an ancient glyph-language called Vaati, which some unorthodox scholars consider the original written form of Auran.


The glyphs don't seem to be formed from a common alphabet, although they are reminiscent of arcane symbols representing elemental air.

They represent names, with each referring to a single individual. The glyph on the arcane apparatus at area 2 probably represents the seal of the most important or highest-ranking of the three found in the Whispering Cairn. The glyph on the sarcohpagi is the lowest-ranking of the three.

The letter forms look similar to an ancient glyph-language called Vaati, which some unorthodox scholars consider the original written form of Auran.

Vaati is an Auran word meaning "Wind Duke", and refers tot eh legendary Wind Dukes of Aaqa who forged the Rod of Seven Parts. A book called the Chronicle of Chain, falsely attributed to a princess of elemental air, records a full roster of the Wind Dukes present at the Battle of Pesh and a general record of what took place there.

A comprehend languages spell might reveal the personal glyph-names.

Glyph on the Sarcohpagi = the Hero Zosiel
Glyph on the Base of the apparatus in area 2 = the General Icosiol
Glyph found throughout = Architect Nadroc

[J-H]

Casper

"That was...exciting. I wonder where it came from?"

He walks into the room, looking around at the shiny things and statutes, but is careful to not touch anything. "This doesn't look like the writing I learned when I was eight."

[redzimmer]

Seramal

"Wow, lookit the magic light!" Seramal sagely advises.

She looks at the images and chortles at their hairless composition.

"I dated a gnome once who insisted on shaving all his hair off. Very flexible..."

She looks around.

[roll0]

[BelGareth]

The only thing you find is the ebon egg on the pedestal, and the stave in the statues hands.

After looking around, you can surmise that the brown mold came from a basin on the side of center pillar, in the antechamber. It looks as if it provides some kind of orange goop, further investigation reveals it to have the same consistency of porridge, or thick gravy. It seems to have been what the mold had been feeding off.

[redzimmer]

Seramal

Sniffing the goop, Seramal scoops up a fingerful and pops it into her mouth.

"Trssmgroo," she says with a full mouth.

[Debatra]

Tobul just stares blankly at Seramal for a few moments. "Do... Do you have any idea exactly what you just ate?"

[redzimmer]

Seramal

"I dunno. Kinda bland."

[roll0] What's the worst that could hgrrrkkgrgbl?

[BelGareth]

You eat it and are surprised that it tastes like porridge with a hint of cinnamon.

You feel very satisfied.

[redzimmer]

Seramal

The half-orc retches and dry heaves until the paste is expelled from her system.

"Bleh! Who the Nine Hells eats tree bark? What am I, an elf?"

http://img06.deviantart.net/4e75/i/2008/196/a/3/usagi_versus_groo_by_cartoonistwill.png

[Deophaun]

Rose

"Now that you mention it, your ears are unusually pointy. Were they always like that?"

Eyeing the treasures of the next room, she notices the large egg thing on the pedestal. "So, before I get close to that, does anyone have anything that they'd like to tell me, such as 'That's the clutch of a hellspawn that will kill you if you get close.' Because I like to know those things beforehand."


Search
Take 10: 23
Roll: [roll0]

[rax]

Narl

"Well done, mistress Seramal! You tumble most elegantly!" Narl laughs and offers his hand to help Seramal get up from the floor. As the mold shrivels, he makes his way into the last room. "Well now, this is very interesting. I wonder who these people were? They're like nothing I've ever seen be-... No, wait a minute. That's not right. I know this! I know who built this tomb," he suddenly exclaims.

"I should have realized when I saw the glyph in the bedchamber! These glyphs we've been seeing everywhere, they're similar to an ancient language called Vaati. Some scholars think that Vaati is the original written form of Auran, and the word Vaati is Auran for "Wind Duke". The Wind Dukes, of course, are famous for forging the fabled Rod of Seven Parts, one of the great artifacts of the multiverse. So it stands to reason that the tomb builders were Wind Dukes, and that staff the statue is holding would be the Rod of Seven Parts! Or at least...a representation of the rod..." Narl trails off, his eyes alight with excitement.

[Deophaun]

Rose

Sizing up the quarterstaff and the egg, Rose is somewhat satisfied that there is no mechanical device rigged to either that will bring ruin upon her. "Anyone think this statue would mind if we borrowed its weapon? From Sir Narl's description, I'm sure our patron would be interested in this seven parted rod." She reaches out to remove the staff.

"That leaves just the egg. That glyph makes me think of some mystical ward. Can anyone see magic auras?"

[redzimmer]

Seramal

The half-orc takes the ribbing with good humour. So far she's had the time of her life in this haunted deathtrap.

"So what's it worth? Are we rich?"

With a gesture, she casts detect magic on the egg.

[rax]

Narl

"Sadly, such magic is beyond my capabilities Mistress Rose," Narl replies with a slightly embarrassed shrug. "But I can tell you that the glyph on the egg isn't the same kind as the other glyphs - it's not Vaati. The glyph in the bedchamber, and the others we've seen in the complex, are name glyphs. They each represent a single individual, but I don't know if it's the same with this glyph. Could be a name, a date, a warning... well, anything really."

[BelGareth]

You reach out to retrieve the staff with a certain amount of trepidation, I mean, this place has been nothing but open and welcome to you, right?

The staff unlocks the from the statue with a twist, a *clunk* noise sounds as you release it, and all is quiet while you all wait for something to happen.

Nothing.

Seems like not everything is trapped.

(you have a masterwork quarterstaff)

The egg.

The egg itself is not magical, however there is an aura that is connected to it...and the rest of the room, also the entire ceiling radiates with a strong magical aura, so much, that you have to shield your eyes.

[redzimmer]

Seramal

"Ten teats of Tiamat, THAT IS BRIGHT!"

Seramal dispels the divination, motes dancing in front of her eyes.

[rax]

Narl

"What did you see, mistress Seramal? Is there dangerous magic on the orb?"

[BelGareth]

The egg does not radiate a magical aura, however it looks like it could fetch a hefty price if sold, as well as the small pedestal that it sits on.

If you want to leave the egg alone, there is nothing else to see in this area. (more pushing the sarcophagi around!)

[redzimmer]

Seramal

"Well I think I'm blind. This whole room is a big ol' pile of magic. The egg ain't magic though."

Bored now, Seramal heads back to the lift.

[DrK]

The young priest looks around as they return to the room with the sarcophaguse and the rainbow lanterns. Moving closer he stops to take a look in each of the alcoves looking around cautiously to see if any have strange markings or anything else that would indicate anything of notre before turning back to the others. "Does anyone have a favourite colour to try?"

[rax]

Narl

"Well, better safe than sorry, I suppose," Narl says with a shrug, then follows Seramal and Cyrius back to the room with the sarcophagus and the lanterns.

(responding to Cyrius)

"As a late arrival, I'm curious to know if anyone has already investigated any of the alcoves besides the one we just came from?"

[Deophaun]

Rose

Rose lets out a sigh of relief. Caution prevails over greed and curiosity. Who would have expected? She makes a mental note regarding the symbol to ask their patron about it when they finally meet in person.

If they ever will.

She rejoins the party in the center room. "Beware that green one. Something wasn't right when we pointed the sarcophagus at it. This whole place shook."

[rax]

Narl

"Well, it seems there's one passage that's missing a lantern, and having a lantern in each passage seems like it could be significant. Have we any clues as to where it might be? And are all the passages the same, or do they vary in some manner?"

Going by earlier posts, we're missing a red lantern, right? And it should go in the first passage to the left of the entrance to the chamber?

[BelGareth]

With the party moving up to the sarcophagi, it takes a little playing with, and, avoiding the green alcove, you test each one hesitantly as each one could shake the cairn apart.

Red alcove -
Nothing happens, you keep it pointed at this alcove longer than most, and still, nothing.

Orange alcove -
This is the alcove it was pointing to when you arrived.

Yellow alcove -
The elevator you used to come backup to the room.

Green alcove -
Skipped, previous party members remember a loud rumbling sound.

Blue alcove -
Nothing happens. There is a crushed skeleton at the end of this alcove.


The skeleton looks like it fell from a significant height, which is the cause of its current disposition.



You notice the light does not illuminate the top of this alcove, and that is has to be higher than the others.


Indigo alcove-
Another elevator appears from the floor like the one from the Yellow alcove.

You can easily see crushed bones and rags on the bottom of this elevator. A quick search reveals a small pouch containing 35 gp, 15 sp, and a ruby.

You point the sarcophagi to Violet after a few seconds.

Violet alcove -
Nothing happens

[redzimmer]

Seramal

[roll0]

Seramal looks at each alcove with mild interest, the shiny rocks getting most of her attention.

"Wow! This is great. I can buy my own Tribe on the Spine of the World at this rate."

[rax]

Narl

Examining the alcove with the blue lamp, Narl notices the crushed skeleton at the end. "Now that's curious," he says to no one in particular. "This poor fellow looks like he got this way by falling from high up, but I don't see where he could have fallen from. Do you suppose there could be something up there worth checking out?" he muses as he stares up into the darkness above.

"And you know what else? Even though our experiments have shown that having a lit lantern in an alcove doesn't guarantee we'll find another marvellous contraption like the one we descended in, the lamps still seem significant to me. I really think we should try and find the red lantern. Perhaps some new wonder will reveal itself when all the lanterns are returned?"

Spot: [roll0]
Heal: [roll1]

[Debatra]

Tobul will look through the pouch, dividing the coins evenly among those present (five gold, two silver each). She will keep the one silver coin left over for herself.

She will then present the ruby to the group. "Does anyone have an eye for gemstones? I'm usually better with steel or leather."

[Deophaun]

Rose

With some help, Rose points the sarcophagus back to the Indigo alcove. The crushed bones raise her suspicions and she gives the tube an extra pass.

Search:
Take 10: 23
Roll: [roll0]


That done, she moves to the Blue alcove. "A fall would mean there's something up there worth climbing to," she says, agreeing with Narl. She takes her sunrod and tosses it up into the air, aiming for where the ceiling would normally be.


Attack: [roll1]
Direction: [roll2]
Spot: [roll3]


"We could use some of this sand to rig a rope and pulley on the lantern chain. Should provide safety for climbing so we don't meet this fellow's fate."

"As I see it, we have three options for where that red lantern could be. It might be above here, down that tube," she motions to the Indigo chamber, "or we can risk the green. I don't think a trap caused that shaking. We had too much time to spin the sarcophagus away, and trap makers aren't that considerate. Maybe there's one of those tubes down there but something's blocking it."

[BelGareth]

As the sunrod is tossed up, you see a small opening leading away from the sarcophagus at the very top of the ceiling, about 50ft up.

[J-H]

Casper

Casper looks around. "Who builds a tomb like this? This is more of a temple than a tomb."

[rax]

Narl

"Oh, that's very interesting!" Narl opines when Rose's sunrod exposes the opening in the ceiling of the blue alcove. "But I admit I'm somewhat confused. How do you propose to use sand to rig a rope and pulley, Mistress Rose? And do we even have a pulley?"

"As for the whereabouts of the red lantern, I'm no expert on traps, but your deductions seem sound to me. It does seem unlikely that there's a trap in the green alcove, or if there is, it's probably not functioning correctly. Do you have a suggestion on where we should start?"

Responding to Casper, Narl says: "Well, in a way it probably is. If you think about what we found below, those were the quarters of an architect or sculptor. He probably lived here while building the place, but I don't think it's the architect's tomb. And there are two other name-glyphs, remember? From their description, the one our friends saw on the broken mirror probably represents the most important individual, likely the same person as the unfinished statue below. I believe that this particular Wind Duke was of high rank among his people, and if this is his final resting place then it is most certainly also intended to reflect his greatness. So one could well say that this is a temple of sorts."

[redzimmer]

Seramal

"Well that leaves just green then! Let's go lads, stronger pusher gets to buy me a drink at the Dog!"

The half-orc begins to push the sarcophagus towards the green lantern alcove.

[Debatra]

Tobul will position herself at the mouth of the green alcove.

[rax]

Narl

Gripping his flail firmly, Narl steps up beside Tobul and waits as Seramal begins to turn the sarcophagus.

[DrK]

Cyrius

A brief glance up the blue lantern had left him shaking his head. His heavy armour not leaving him that skilled at climbing (and neither had the years of book learning). As the others gathered near the green lantern he rests for a moment by the sarcophagus.

[BelGareth]

Seramal moves the sarcophagus with a bit of effort, glaring at anyone who tried to help her, this was her 'task' that she was going to do, alone.

And manage she did, eventually, and the click resounded through the chamber after the stone against stone noise of moving the thing stopped, but soon afterwards, another rumbling, like the first time you pointed it to the green alcove, started, this time, it built up.

After a few seconds, a cacophonous creaking of stone against stone emerges from the ground below the green lantern. Tobul and Narl, the closest, feel something rumbling in the stone floor, as if something is about to give way.

And it does with a wrenching, screeching scream of stone upon stone, something breaks, falls loose, or unhinges, and you all hear the sudden stop of screeching, this is emphasized by the fact that the stone directly below the lantern drops, breaking away, tearing and breaking the smooth surface of the floor. A few moments of silence follows, followed by a clatter and tremendous clash as stone meets stone in a free fall.


If you succeed, you hear "the skittering of thousands of insects from the new hole in the floor" and can take 1 full round action.
Listen checks:
Narl and Tobul DC 5
[roll0] - Succeeded!
[roll1] - Succeeded!

Everyone else DC 10
[roll2] - Succeeded!
[roll3] - Failed!
[roll4] - Succeeded!
[roll5] - Succeeded!


1 round after (after all actions have been taken by those who succeeded with listen checks) a veritable horde of beetles streams forth from the hole, followed by something else, something far more malign and with ill intent. A horrible aberration that skitters forth on six sharp legs sprouting from a central body that is little more than a disgusting eye.


https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/6c/a8/7b/6ca87b29b5afae3bbdd76584f23361f4.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y243/Kalenthor/Age%20of%20Worms/MadSlasher.png


Initiative

[roll13]
[roll7]
[roll11]
[roll10]
[roll6]
[roll8]
[roll9]
[roll12]


I will wait for everyone sans Narl to take actions before starting combat. I'll give you 48 hours and then assume you do nothing.
No combat actions yet please, except for Seramal. Because she's awesome.

Swarm is still in the tunnel, as well as Mad slasher.

DC 17
Mad slasher is an aberration that likes to live in the dark, most notably the underdark, and even though it looks like a spider, cannot actually climb walls. It's blade like appendages serve as it's weapons, which can be used against multiple opponents with deadly efficiency. (darkvision, aberration type)

DC 22
They are capable of exploiting a warriors lapse in focus. (Combat reflexes)

DC 27
They are capable of excelling in combat when surrounded (Whirlwind attack)


Map (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1jqC8yi4ZBIAc6wIfifWgm6m802qE4zTm2T-EemFTRhM/edit?usp=sharing)

[Deophaun]

Rose

The chamber didn't collapse and crush them all, so that was a win as far as Rose was concerned. But now there was an odd sound in the air underneath the sharp notes sounded as falling rock struck against rock. It was like the rustling of paper or the crackling of fire. It took a few moments for her to piece it together. "Something's coming," she said, as she moved forward and pulled a flask of acid from her pouch. "A lot of somethings."

Move to AB-11
Free Action Draw acid flask
Standard Ready Throw at nearest swarm to appear


HP:14/14 Non-Lethal:4
AC:17 Touch:13 Flat-footed:14
Fort:2 Ref:6 Will:4

Conditions:
Filter mask: +2 to saves against gas-based effects.
Island of blades: Flanking if Rose and ally are adjacent to the same creature.

[Debatra]

During the pre-combat round, Tobul will pull a pouch of caltrops and toss them in front of the hole.

[roll0]

She will also be Ready to declare her Dodge feat, which she then does against the big one. (Assuming that pre-combat round means we aren't flat-footed?)

[redzimmer]

Seramal

"Elves anuses!" she curses, loosing a magical gust of super-heated water vapour at the swarm once they get within range.

Jet of Steam range 30 ft. area 30 ft line, [roll0] damage
Ref DC 13 for half damage

[J-H]

Casper
Hearing something coming, Casper grows in size, moving to guard the doorway.


Manifesting Expansion, with 3pp giving it a duration of 30 minutes instead of 2 rounds.
Wild surge [roll0]

Move to AC11:AD12, and with a 20' longspear reach, he gets an AOO on anything that comes for the others.

[rax]

Narl

Hearing the skittering noise coming from the hole, Narl grabs a flask of alchemist's fire from his pack and moves back towards the alcove with the yellow lantern. As he does so, he warns his companions that he doesn't think it's a good idea to bunch up at the entrance of the alcove.

Move action: Retrieve stored item.
Move action: Move 20 feet to Y10.

[BelGareth]

Top of Round 1
Seramal, Casper, and Rose are up.
(no readied actions have been triggered)


Mad Slasher is delaying

Initiative

Seramal - 22
Casper - 9
Rose - 7
Swarm - 7
Mad Slasher - 7
Narl - 7
Tobul - 6
Cyrius - 3


Map (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1jqC8yi4ZBIAc6wIfifWgm6m802qE4zTm2T-EemFTRhM/edit?usp=sharing)

[redzimmer]

Seramal

"Ick," she says simply as the carpet of bugs swarm into view.

Before she can cast her spell, the rest of her compadres have blocked her line of sight. Changing her mind, she instead whips out the unseen servant wand.

"Distract the big one!" she commands the invisible construct.

Have unseen servant poke and prod the mad slasher.

[BelGareth]

the horde of beetles moves over the lip of the hole in the floor, like torrential rain going the wrong direction. They swarm around several of you as a huge spider like abomination pokes its central eye out of the vertical shaft and moves towards you with clacking sounds of its sword like legs against the stone.

The mad slasher attacks Robul as the closest threat in the room, as the swarm of beetles move over everyone in their path. You notice they leave a yellowish trail wherever they go.

As it moves forward it is poked by something invisible, and manages to step on a caltrop, though, if it cares is another matter, as it is hard to tell when looking at the strange maddening eye.


Initiative

Seramal - 22
Casper - 9
Rose - 7
Swarm - 7
Mad Slasher - 7
Narl - 7
Tobul - 6
Cyrius - 3

Rose may take her readied action.

Both enemies provoke aoo's from Casper, though, the swarm does first. You could ignore them if you had knowledge nature.

[roll0] vs Mad slasher AC

Mad Slasher vs Tobul
[roll1]
[roll2]

Swarm deals the following damage at the end of the turn:
Tobul
[roll3] (non magical, normal damage)
[roll4] DC 11 fort for half (1)
DC 11 fort or be nauseated for 1 round (beginning your turn)

Casper
[roll5] (non magical, normal damage)
[roll6] DC 11 fort for half (1)
DC 11 fort or be nauseated for 1 round (beginning your turn)

Rose
[roll7] (non magical, normal damage)
[roll8] DC 11 fort for half (1)
DC 11 fort or be nauseated for 1 round (beginning your turn)

Map (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1jqC8yi4ZBIAc6wIfifWgm6m802qE4zTm2T-EemFTRhM/edit?usp=sharing)


Narl, Tobul, and Cyrius are up!